Finland has confirmed it will apply to join NATO despite Russia’s president warning it would be a “mistake” to do so.

Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto said joining the military alliance will “maximise” his country’s security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A formal membership application is expected to be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels next week.

Mr Niinisto said the move gives him “security of mind” and membership holds “huge importance” to the country.

“In the future, I have described that the Finnish-Russian relationship will change and I’m sure Russians think in a similar way but like I said there are daily questions where you have to be capable of co-operating,” he added.