Breaking: Finland Confirms NATO Membership Bid

Finland says it has concluded plans to join NATO.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Finland’s president has confirmed his country will formally apply for Nato membership – a move Vladimir Putin has described as a mistake
2. We’re waiting to hear if Sweden will also seek to join the military alliance, as foreign ministers from the bloc continue talks in Berlin
3. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg says the doors are open for both countries to join, describing the potential change as “historic
4. On the ground, Russia’s offensive in Donbas, in the east, has lost momentum, according to UK military assessmen
5. That UK report also says Russia may have lost a third of the ground combat forces it committed at the start of the invasion
6. Meanwhile, Ukraine has won the 66th Eurovision song contest – in a symbolic show of public support following the country’s invasion