Germany ratifies Finland and Sweden's NATO membership bid 

Germany approved Finland and Sweden’s application to become NATO members on Friday amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

"This creates more security - for all NATO members and for Europe," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Twitter.

The approval by Germany’s parliament follows the footsteps of Canada, Estonia, Denmark, and Norway.

According to DW, the Bundestag's decision was taken “extremely fast.” Unnamed sources claimed that Germany intended to be the first country to ratify their accession to NATO, but other countries were faster. 

In Germany, the decision was backed by parties from all over the political spectrum, including the governing coalition party, its conservative opposition, and the far-right. 

"Today we are strengthening the democratic values of NATO," said German Foreign Ministry official Tobias Lindner ahead of the vote. 

"There is a before and after the 24th of February [when Russia invaded Ukraine]. And we are hoping, of course, in giving all our support in financial and humanitarian and also military means to Ukraine," said Jenny L. Malmqvist, the deputy head of mission at the Swedish embassy in Germany. 

For Sweden and Finland to officially join NATO and be protected by its defense clause, the documents must be ratified unanimously by all NATO members.

The ratification can take up to a year to process. However, Finland and Sweden can already begin to participate in NATO meetings and access classified information. 

Finland and Sweden had remained neutral countries. However, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and their proximity to Russia, they applied to join NATO fearing that the Kremlin could extend its territorial ambitions.

Finland’s ambassador to Germany, Anne Sipilanen, said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was "a fundamental change of our security environment."

"We made an analysis and, with support of the population, almost 80% of Finns are now in favor of membership. It was an easy decision," she added.