Germany's FM Annalena Baerbock says she supports Finland and Sweden joining NATO

Germany's Foreign Minister on Tuesday stated that she supports Finland and Sweden joining NATO. During final press conference following G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Germany, Baerbock stated that each country is free to decide wher or t to join alliance. This is also true for Sweden and Finland.

German Foreign Minister went on to say that it was t NATO's actions that pushed Sweden and Finland to join, but rar actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. She furr added that Finland and Sweden are willing to join alliance because y want to live in peace with ir neighbours.

"It is t NATO that has pushed Sweden and Finland to join, but actions of Russian President have pushed Finland and Sweden, because y want to continue to live in peace with ir neighbors, into this alliance, if y join toger, which I would very much support," Baerbock stated.

On May 14, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country will decide "to seek NATO membership in next few days." Furr, Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde anunced on May 12 that country will consider Finland's views on NATO membership as it explores joining military alliance.

Baerbock furr explained, " German government has already made it clear that we more than support this accession. Sweden and Finland are strong countries in terms of ir own defense capabilities. That alone would make ir accession stronger for NATO."

Putin warns Finland against abandoning its neutrality: Kremlin

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto on May 13 that Helsinki would be making a mistake if it abandoned its neutral status and joined NATO, according to Kremlin. Putin stated that Finland faces security threats, and that any shift in its foreign policy stance could harm bilateral relations.

tably, on May 12, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised Finland's NATO membership application and pledged Berlin's "full support." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on or hand, has criticised Finland and Sweden for seeking NATO membership. Erdogan said on May 13 that he does t see Sweden and Finland joining NATO "positively," and that "Scandinavian countries are like a guest house for terrorist organisations."