"I am honored to receive the applications of Finland and Sweden for NATO membership," the Secretary General of the Alliance wrote on Twitter.

Finland and Sweden formally submitted their candidacies for membership in the North Atlantic Alliance this morning through their ambassadors at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Applications were received by the Secretary General, Jens Stoltenbergcalling the act "historic", he added that the decision was crucial to Europe 's security.

Finland and Sweden are expected to finalize the NATO membership process quickly as they meet the basic criteria and are already interoperable with Alliance systems.

The two countries decided to apply to NATO after Russia's military aggression against Ukraine intensified, they believe that NATO offers them greater security in the unpredictable period.

Until the finalization phase of their membership, Finland and Sweden can count on the EU as a collective defense in the event of an attack by Russia in the transition period. The EU has a member in its charters that obliges other EU member states to help others in the event of an attack, only if the attacked country so requests.

With Finland and Sweden, the number of NATO members will rise to 32.

Honored to receive the applications for #Finland's & #Sweden's membership in #NATO. This is a good day at a critical time for our security. Your applications are an historical step. https://t.co/IH6Vj25FZK

- Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) May 18, 2022