What Matters Today | impact of Finland's and Sweden's application to join NATO

Original release date: 26 May 2022 On Wednesday 18 May, Finland and Sweden simultaneously handed in their official letters of application to join NATO. Both countries decided to do so following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. How will this impact both countries' relationship with Russia? Will Turkey block Finland and Sweden from becoming NATO members? Could Finland’s and Sweden’s membership and subsequent NATO expansion lead to a new Cold War?