Earlier this week, several Turkish government sources told Reuters that Turkey is ready to approve Finland's NATO application before it goes to the polls on May 14.

It is with this expectation that Finland's president and foreign minister have now traveled down to Ankara to meet Erdogan.

"We knew that when Turkish President Erdogan made his decision on the ratification of Finland's NATO membership, he wants to meet and fulfill his promise president to president," Niinisto wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

At the same time, Erdogan has said that Turkey will deliver on the promise it has made to Finland.

Kristersson: The probability has increased

Yesterday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and Niinistö talked to each other on the phone, and Kristersson admitted earlier on Tuesday that the likelihood has increased that Finland will join ahead of Sweden.

Neither Hungary nor Turkey has ratified Sweden and Finland's NATO applications, but if Erdogan gives the green light today, Turkey could vote on Finland's membership as early as next week.

High expectations in Finland

In Finland, expectations are now high that a positive message about the NATO process will be received.

"You probably expect a promise of ratification on all levels today," says Liselott Lindström, SVT's correspondent in Helsinki.

Niinistö and Erdogan will hold a joint press conference at 14.45.

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How bad is it for Sweden if Finland takes the lead in NATO? It depends on how long a backlog Sweden gets," says Professor Kjell Engelbrekt. Hear him about three possible scenarios if Sweden remains alone outside. Photo: SVT/TT