Now Sweden will apply for NATO membership as Finland opens debate

has signalled it will apply for membership today in a move set to infuriate Vladimir Putin by expanding the US-backed security alliance's presence on Russia's borders.

Sources in the Swedish SVD party announced the move on the same day that fellow neutral neighbour Finland started its debate on joining NATO after days of speculation it would do so.

Sweden's prime minister Magdalena Andersson is understood to be eager for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance by June, to the fury of Vladimir Putin who invaded Ukraine in part for its desire to join to the pact.

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