The chair of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, is to visit Finland on Friday as part of a European tour.
Milley is to arrive from London, where he met with representatives of the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance, which includes the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He also attended celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
On Friday, Milley is scheduled to hold talks with President Sauli Niinistö and Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen (Cen) following Finland's application to join Nato along with neighbouring Sweden.
Finland, Sweden join Nato naval exercise
The following day, Milley will travel to Stockholm, where he will meet with Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf. He will also join Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist to observe joint military manoeuvres between Nato and the Swedish Navy.
Beginning Sunday, the Finnish Navy and Air Force are taking part in the international Baltops 22 exercise on the Baltic Sea. Some 200 Finnish Navy personnel will join the exercise from 5 to 17 June.
"The aim of the exercise is to develop the interoperability of the United States, Nato and partner countries in joint air and maritime operations and amphibious operations," the Finnish Defence Forces said in a statement on Wednesday.