Finnish President Sauli Niinistö does not believe that Sweden's chances of becoming a NATO member will be diminished by Finland's move.
"No, I see no such risk at all," he says to SVT's Agenda.
Nor does Niinistö think that Finland has failed Sweden by not joining the defense alliance at the same time.
"Do you think we should have refused Turkey's ratification? That sounds a bit crazy," he tells SVT.
"It would have been a very difficult situation if we had said no to Ankara."
When asked what it means for the security of the two Nordic countries if Sweden's membership is delayed, the president replies:
"Right now, Finland, Sweden and Denmark are considering and discussing a direct agreement with the United States, as is Norway. And I think that's a big change, almost bigger than NATO membership. If we all have a direct agreement that is pretty much the same with the US, it means a lot."