Finnish government submits security report preparing for NATO membership

HELSINKI -- The Finnish government on Wednesday submitted to parliament a report on changes to Finland's foreign and security policy environment following the Ukraine crisis.

The report is a framework for a broader debate on foreign, security, and defense policy, and includes an assessment of how Finland can boost national defense capability and international defense cooperation, as well as the effects of possible NATO membership.

National broadcaster Yle said that although the report is the basis for a discussion on NATO in the coming weeks, it will not lead to a parliamentary vote, only a communication.

The issue will then be referred back to the government and president.

PRESIDENT: DECISION BEFORE THE SUMMER

Also on Wednesday, President Sauli Niinisto said Finland's decision on NATO membership would be taken before the summer.

Niinisto told the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that the report provides crucial information to decision-makers.

However, the final decision on membership will fall to Niinisto.

He warned against delays in the decision-making process, saying that the fate of Finland and Sweden was being used as a political football.

Russia's possible reaction is another reason to speed up the process, he added.

Public support for Finnish membership of NATO has surged in Finland since late February. In Finnish media polls, around 60 percent supported accession, while this week over half of the members of parliament backed NATO membership.

MOVING FORWARD WITH SWEDEN

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson also discussed NATO membership in Stockholm on Wednesday.

The Finnish government's report estimates that the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO would increase stability in the Baltic Sea region.

Meanwhile, Marin said on Wednesday that Finland's decision on its membership of NATO would come within weeks.

Sweden and Finland have intensified their military cooperation with each other, and with NATO in recent years. Although both countries have emphasized their autonomy in making security policy decisions, they have also expressed their desire to move in tandem regarding potential NATO membership.

Marin said there were risks involved in both applying for membership, and in not doing so.

Meanwhile, President Niinisto said on Wednesday said that "it would be best for Finland and Sweden to decide jointly and find the same path."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday reiterated his claim that further NATO expansion will not bring stability to the European continent.