Germany will support Finland and Sweden in joining NATO, Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated, following the two Nordic countries' desire to join despite decades of neutrality.

Scholz, speaking to reporters Tuesday after two days of closed-door meetings with his Finnish and Swedish counterparts in a location near Berlin, vowed to support both countries' bids to join the Western military bloc if they submit membership applications.

"For us, the choice is straightforward: If these two countries decide to join NATO, they can count on our support," he said, adding, "Even before such NATO membership is decided, they can always count on Germany's support." As Europeans, we believe that we are obligated to do so."

Scholz's remarks come on the heels of speculations that Helsinki could declare its intention to join NATO next week, with President Sauli Niinisto reportedly slated to do so on May 12. Stockholm is yet to decide whether to follow suit, while the country's parliament recently stated that it would conduct a review of Swedish security policy before making a decision.

While early reports indicated that both countries would file applications concurrently, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto has suggested that his country may eventually proceed without its neighbor.

"At the moment, I believe the mood in parliament... includes the possibility of leaving Sweden," the FM told the Irish Times last week. "It would be beneficial to do the same things as Sweden, but that is contingent upon Swedish judgments. It is too early to speculate on a date, but I believe we will proceed before the summer."

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told reporters Tuesday that no decision had been taken and that "all options are on the table," words echoed by Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

"Finland and Sweden are confronted with critical security decisions," Marin stated, adding that "Russia's attack on Ukraine has irreversibly altered our security environment."

Similarly, Germany's chancellor described Russia's military intervention as a "turning point" for continental security. The attack compelled Berlin to abandon a long-held stance against the shipment of weapons into active war zones. "It was appropriate and necessary" to alter that policy, Scholz added, adding, "and we will continue to do so."