The report sets out the implications and risks of Nato membership and marks the beginning of the official debate on a potential application for Finland to join Nato.
Highlights: Finnish President asked NATO chief how to join; Sweden more hesitant NATO sees both countries as partners Living memories of war kept Finns on alert, Swedes less prepared Finnish politicians tour NATO capitals to gauge support Moscow has threatened "serious consequences" if countries join The sound of gunfire echoed around the Norwegian fjords as a row of Swedish
The sound of gunfire echoed around the Norwegian fjords as a row of Swedish and Finnish soldiers, positioned prone behind banks of snow, trained rifles and missile launchers on nearby hills ready for an enemy attack. The drill, in March, was the first time forces from Finland and Sweden have formed a combined brigade in .
As nonmembers, Finland and Sweden don't have the protection of NATO's guarantee that an attack on one ally is an attack on all, but moves to join the alliance are growing more likely.