Finland will join NATO without Sweden if the Turkish government does not approve Stockholm's application. This was stated by Finnish Defense Minister Mikko Savola, DW reports.. However, Savola added that he would like both countries to join the Alliance together..

At the same time, according to him, Finland will not refuse to join NATO if Turkey ratifies only its application..

“Then we will join,” said Savola.

He hopes that Finland will become a member of NATO before the Alliance summit in July 2023.

Other top Finnish officials later made similar statements in Munich..

In particular, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said that Helsinki prefers to join the Alliance at the same time as Sweden, but cannot influence how countries' applications will be ratified..

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto believes that if Turkey ratifies Helsinki's application but rejects Stockholm, this will create a difficult situation..

" We have applied for membership. Should we now say: \? "

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Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO last year after they were concerned about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.. Only two of the Alliance's 30 countries, Hungary and Turkey, have yet to ratify their applications.. Ratification by Hungary is regarded as a formality and is expected soon.

Turkey has raised significant objections to the countries joining the Alliance, citing their support for Kurdish groups, which Ankara sees as a terrorist threat..

Ankara suspended negotiations after protests in Stockholm, during which activists burned the Koran.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will not approve Sweden's application to join NATO, while at the same time the attitude towards Finland on this issue is positive.