Explainer-What you need to know about Finland's and Sweden's path to NATO membership

FILE PHOTO: Norwegian and Swedish army medics simulate the evacuation of a field hospital as part of military exercise called "Cold Response 2022", gathering around 30,000 troops from NATO member countries plus Finland and Sweden, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Setermoen in the Artic Circle, Norway, March 25 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

HELSINKI/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden have been considering applying for membership of the NATO military alliance, which would mark a major policy shift for the Nordic region.

Here is the latest about the process and the key points under discussion: