Finnish parliament pushes up regional security risks by joining NATO plan

On May 17, local time, the Finnish parliament voted on the country's application to join NATO, with 188 votes in favor, 8 against and 3 absent. Parliament approves Finland's application to join NATO. After the approval of the parliament, the Finnish government is scheduled to hold a meeting later in the day to discuss the application for NATO membership and put forward a proposal, which will be submitted to the president for approval. After that, Finland will submit an application to NATO.

On May 17, local time, according to Swedish TV, Swedish Foreign Minister Linde officially signed the country's application to join NATO. Linde also said that Sweden will submit an application to join the treaty with Finland, and it is expected that Sweden will take up to a year to become a member of NATO. Swedish Prime Minister Andersson speaks at a press conference in Stockholm on May 16.

Nordic joint statement: Norway, Iceland and Denmark issued a joint statement saying that if Sweden and Finland are attacked before they officially become members of NATO, the other three Nordic countries will do what they can to help.

Regarding Finland and Sweden's decision to apply to join NATO, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 16th that “there is no problem” between Russia and Finland and Sweden, so Finland and Sweden's joining NATO does not pose a direct threat to Russia, but NATO's military infrastructure is on the territory of the two countries. The expansion of China will inevitably lead to a response from Russia. There are also voices within NATO against joining the two countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on the 13th that Turkey could not take a positive stance on Finland and Sweden's plans to join NATO. On the 16th, he re-emphasized that Turkey would not agree to join NATO between the two countries.

Financial data and events to focus on today:

17:00 Eurozone April CPI annual rate final value and monthly rate

20:30 The total number of new housing starts in the United States in April is annualized

20:30 The total number of building permits in the United States in April

22:30 EIA crude oil inventories for the week from the United States to May 13

22:30 U.S. to May 13 EIA Strategic Petroleum Reserve Inventory for the week