NATO offers security guarantees if Sweden applies to join alliance

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that if Sweden applies for membership in the alliance, it will provide protection until it becomes a member.

Speaking to Swedish public broadcaster SVT, Stoltenberg discussed Sweden's possible NATO membership.

He said NATO will increase its presence around Sweden’s borders and in the Baltic Sea while its application to join the alliance is processed, adding he believes that they will find solutions for the security needs Sweden will have in the transitional period.

According to the Swedish newspaper Expressen, Sweden and Finland will apply for NATO membership on May 17-21.