Germany to support NATO membership for Finland and Sweden: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

BERLIN: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds a press conference with Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin (not pictured) and Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson (not pictured) in front of Meseberg Palace, the German government's guest house, where the federal cabinet is meeting for a two-day closed meeting. The two heads of government came to the closed meeting as guests. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany will support the admission of Finland and Sweden to the NATO military alliance, should they apply for it, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has told the countries' heads of government.

Sanna Marin and Magdalena Andersson, prime ministers of Finland and Sweden, respectively, attended a meeting of the German Cabinet in Meseberg, near Berlin, on Tuesday.

"It is clear that if these two countries should decide that they want to be part of the NATO alliance, they can count on our support," Scholz said, adding that they could "always count on Germany's support" irrespective of NATO membership.

Both countries are considering joining the defence alliance as a result of Russia's attack on Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has already promised them swift admission should they apply.