Why do Finland and Sweden want to join Nato?

Finnish president Sauli Niinisto and prime minister Sanna Marin said on Thursday that Finland must apply to join Nato “without delay.”

Finland, which shares a 1,300km (800 miles) border with Russia, has seen public opinion to join Nato change dramatically since Russia’s “special military operation” began in Ukraine in February.

“We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days,” the Finnish leaders said.