EXPLAINER: Next steps for Finland, Sweden on NATO membership

BRUSSELS (AP) — Finland and Sweden have signaled their intention to join NATO over Russia’s war in Ukraine and things will move fast once they formally apply for membership in the world’s biggest security alliance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already made clear that there would be consequences if the two Nordic countries join. So it’s important for NATO to bring them swiftly into the fold where they can benefit from the security guarantees that membership provides.

They’re off to a quick start. Finland and Sweden are NATO’s closest partners. They have functioning democracies, well-funded armed forces and contribute to the alliance’s military operations and air policing. Any obstacles they face will merely be of a technical, or possibly political nature.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR FINLAND AND SWEDEN TO JOIN NATO?

NATO officials say the membership procedure could be completed “in a couple of weeks.”

But the most time consuming part — ratification of their accession protocols by the alliance's 30 member countries, sometimes involving parliaments — could take months. How many is anyone’s guess, although that step has taken eight to 12 months with recent candidates.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Monday that “we think that it could take days for Canada.” The fastest were West Germany, Turkey and Greece, whose endorsement took around four months in the 1950s, when NATO was less than half its current size. Still, war on NATO’s doorstep is sure to focus minds.

The U.S. and Britain, among others, stand ready to provide security support if needed until the process is complete.

HOW DOES A COUNTRY GO ABOUT JOINING?

NATO’s membership process isn't formalized, and the steps can vary.

First though, a request to...