Finland, Sweden to submit NATO applications Wednesday as Russia says membership "no big difference"

Finland and Sweden's leaders said Tuesday they plan to submit their applications for NATO membership together on Wednesday, with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson calling it a signal that "we stand united going into the future ahead."

She also said they look forward to cooperating with Turkey within NATO, even as that country has signalled it does not view the two applications positively. Turkish officials have said both Sweden and Finland harbour individuals linked to groups it deems terrorists.

Meanwhile, despite weeks of language from Russian President Vladimir Putin against the two countries joining the North Atlantic alliance, the country appears to have shifted its rhetoric.

In Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the two countries joining made "no big difference," saying both have already participated in NATO military exercises in the past. However he went on to say Russia would "see how their territory is used in practice in the North Atlantic alliance." President Vladimir Putin in his own comments has said Russia would respond if NATO boosts Finland and Sweden's military strength.

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