Finland's integration into NATO to be smooth and swift, says Stoltenberg

Finland's accession process to NATO would be smooth and swift.

A NATO membership of Finland would strengthen both the Western military alliance and Finland, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, according to Reuters.

"Should Finland decide to apply, they would be warmly welcomed into NATO, and the accession process would be smooth and swift," Stoltenberg said after Finland announced it would apply to join NATO "without delay".

"Finland is one of NATO's closest partners, a mature democracy, a member of the European Union, and an important contributor to Euro-Atlantic security." (Reporting by Sabine Siebold and Bart Meijer).

It should be noted that a joint statement was released by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin today. In this statement, the country's leadership announced its intention to immediately apply for NATO membership.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already reacted to the statement of a neighboring country. In particular, the Kremlin claims that Finland's accession to NATO is a threat to the Russian Federation.