President Joe Biden says that Finland and Sweden have the "full, total, complete backing" of the US for their application to join NATO amid resistance from Turkey.

Finland’s prime minister rejects the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons or establishing NATO military bases in her country even in the event that Helsinki becomes a member of the US-led Western military alliance.

Finland and Sweden are set to buy portable firearms and anti-tank weapons, Finland’s defense ministry has announced, as the Nordic countries have formally applied to join NATO.

Here are Press TV's latest top stories at 1600 GMT, May 18, 2022.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan says he cannot endorse the bid of Sweden to join the NATO military alliance as long as the two Nordic countries continue to lend support to terrorist groups.

Russia on Wednesday declared 85 diplomats from France, Spain, and Italy "persona non grata" in a retaliatory move, effectively ordering their expulsion, as the war in Ukraine rages on.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has voiced the bloc's readiness to defend Finland and Sweden in the event of a Russian attack even before the two countries become NATO members.

Russia says the latest push by Sweden and Finland to join NATO will only make the matters worse.

NATO has pledged open-ended military support for Ukraine, as Finland and Sweden formally announced their bid to join the military alliance.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he is confident that Sweden and Finland will join NATO.