Finland meets the criteria, agreed at the meeting of NATO defence ministers, and fulfills its obligations regarding defence spending. Therefore it is ready to join the Alliance.

Finnish Defence Minister Mikko Savola has said it to the reporter of "European Pravda" on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

"We will spend 2% of our GDP on defence in the upcoming years. Our defence forces are in good condition. We have compulsory conscription, a prepared reserve. We provide security, so we are ready to become a NATO member," he said.

At the same time, the minister refused to answer the question of whether Finland feels an increased threat from Russia following the decision to join the Alliance.

"We are not yet NATO members and must maintain defence capability at a high level. That is why we are very limited in commenting on (such issues) publicly," Savola explained.

Earlier, Sweden and Finland allowed the possibility to split their NATO bids (UKR).

The media reported that Finland and Sweden have coordinated their steps (UKR) in case Finland is procedurally ready to join NATO before its ally.

In public statements, key Finnish officials continue to assert that they would like to join the Alliance "as soon as possible and together with Sweden."

Türkiye, which blocked the two countries from joining NATO, hints that it no longer has any claims against Finland and is ready to ratify its application separately.