Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO today, ending decades of neutrality. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg described the event as a historic moment.

Jens Stoltenberg: “And I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners, and your membership in NATO would increase our shared security.”

If NATO approves Sweden and Finland as members, it would more than double the border between NATO countries and Russia. Current members of NATO share a 750-mile border with Russia. Finland alone has an 830-mile border with Russia.