NATO ratification of Sweden, Finland can be at different stages, Swedish premier says

LONDON (AA) – Sweden and Finland can be ratified as NATO member states at different stages, the Swedish prime minister said on Tuesday.

"It is not out of the question that Sweden and Finland will be ratified in different stages," Ulf Kristersson said at a news conference on NATO membership application of his country, according to local media, including daily Aftonbladet.

Kristersson said that what he and Oscar Stenstrom, Sweden's chief negotiator for NATO accession talks, "have encountered in recent weeks is that the probability that this will happen at different rates has increased."

He said Sweden is "prepared for what we will do if that were to happen."