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President Joe Biden signed US approval of Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids on Tuesday, bringing the Western alliance’s reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one step closer.
Biden stated that by making the “holy promise” to mutual defence in the US-led transatlantic alliance, the two northern European countries will become “strong, loyal, and very capable new allies.”
Earlier this month, the Senate voted 95-1 in support of the Nordic states’ admission, making the US the 23rd of 30 NATO countries to offer formal approval. New members require unanimous approval.
After Donald Trump’s decision to sever relationships across the world, Biden has made repairing traditional US alliances a cornerstone of his administration, praising NATO as the “pillar of American security.”
“The United States remains steadfast in its support for the transatlantic alliance.”
Biden also lauded Finland and Sweden, saying they had “strong democratic institutions, powerful military, and robust and transparent economies” that will now strengthen NATO.
Biden claimed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “shattered peace and security in Europe.” “Putin believed he could separate us…. Instead, he gets exactly what he didn’t ask for.”
According to the White House, Biden spoke via phone with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto before of the signing event.
“President Biden congratulated them on the US Senate’s fast, bipartisan adoption of their NATO accession protocols, and welcomed Finland and Sweden moving one step closer to being NATO Allies,” the White House said.
During the process, “President Biden underlined that the United States will work with Finland and Sweden to remain vigilant against any threats to our common security, and to deter and fight violence or threat of aggression,” according to the statement.
