Finland’s MPs approve legislation paving way for country to join Nato

Vote increases chance of Finland joining alliance before its Nordic neighbour Sweden, which is facing objections from Turkey

Finland's parliament has overwhelmingly approved legislation allowing the country to join Nato, increasing the chances of it becoming a member of the transatlantic defensive alliance before its Nordic neighbour Sweden.

Both countries last year abandoned decades of military non-alignment in a historic policy shift triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, submitting simultaneous Nato membership applications and pledging to complete the process hand-in-hand".