Washington:
President Joe Biden signed on Tuesday the US ratification of Finland and Sweden’s bids to join NATO, bringing the expansion of the Western alliance in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one step closer.
Biden said the two northern European countries would become “strong, reliable, very capable new allies” by making the “sacred commitment” to mutual defense in the US-led transatlantic alliance.
Earlier this month, the Senate voted 95-1 for the accession of the Nordic states, making the United States the 23rd of 30 NATO countries to have formally given its approval. A new membership requires unanimous support.
Biden, who has made restoring traditional US alliances a cornerstone of his administration following Donald Trump’s move to cut ties around the world, praised NATO as “the foundation of US security”.
“The United States is committed to the transatlantic alliance.”
Biden also praised Finland and Sweden, saying that both have “strong democratic institutions, strong militaries and strong and transparent economies” that NATO would now strengthen.
President Vladimir Putin’s Russia “has destroyed peace and security in Europe” by invading Ukraine, Biden said. “Putin thought he could tear us apart…Instead, he gets exactly what he didn’t want.”
The White House said Biden had telephone conversations with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto prior to the signing ceremony.
“President Biden congratulated them on the US Senate’s swift, bipartisan ratification of their NATO accession protocols, and welcomed Finland and Sweden as they come one step closer to becoming NATO allies,” the White House said.
As the trial unfolds, “President Biden confirmed that the United States will work with Finland and Sweden to remain vigilant against any threats to our shared security, and to deter and deter any aggression or threat of aggression,” the statement said. the explanation.
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