Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Thursday announced their support for Finland joining NATO, writes MIA.

There have been several indications that Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre-long border with Russia, would apply for NATO membership in the light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The support of Finland‘s head of state and head of government, announced in a joint statement, makes it even more likely that Finland will apply for membership of the military alliance, after decades of remaining formally neutral.

There has been a drastic shift in public opinion toward NATO membership since the war in Ukraine began. In a recent survey, 76% of respondents in Finland were in favour of such a move.

Several political parties have also signalled their backing. Other Nordic countries Denmark, Norway and Iceland have been members of NATO since its founding in 1949.

Sweden is expected to announce a decision in the coming days.