Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine sparked a historic policy u-turn in previously militarily non-aligned Finland and Sweden who joined NATO in 2023 and 2024 respectively. (Reporting by Niklas Pollard, writing by Terje Solsvik, editing by Essi Lehto)

Sweden should lead the establishment of an enhanced NATO presence in Finland in the form of so-called forward land forces (FLF), the two countries proposed on Monday. "The Swedish government has the ambition to take on a role as framework nation for forward land forces in Finland,

On Monday, Sweden announced its readiness to manage a future NATO land force in neighboring Finland, which shares a border with Russia. The two Nordic nations, having dropped decades of military non-alignment, applied for NATO membership following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Sweden is willing to manage a future Nato land force in neighbouring Finland, which shares a border with Russia, the two newest members of the military alliance announced on Monday.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (both NCP) said they were pleased that Sweden will take responsibility for a multinational forward land force (FLF) in Finland.

Sweden should lead the establishment of an enhanced NATO presence in Finland in the form of so-called forward land forces (FLF), the two countries proposed on Monday.