Specifically, the president thanked Senate leaders Charles E. Schumer and McConnell, as well as Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders Bob Menendez, DN.J., and James Risch, R-Idaho, for supporting this proposed round of alliance expansion during the war in Ukraine. He said NATO’s support for Ukraine and other European countries after Russia’s invasion had answered questions about the organization’s fate.

“Today, there is no doubt that NATO is relevant, it is effective and it is needed now more than ever,” Biden said. “This is about the future.… Sweden and Finland are already among our closest partners in a number of issues.”

He praised both countries’ “strong democratic institutions, strong military and strong economies.”

“Ratification of speed agreement”

McConnell’s support in particular is key, as the House would need to ratify the two countries’ entry into the military alliance. McConnell spoke in support of NATO membership for Sweden and Finland on the Senate floor on Tuesday and praised the military capabilities of both countries.

“I will do everything I can to speed up the ratification of the treaty by the Senate,” McConnell said, even as other Republicans from the party’s “Make America Great Again” faction grew stronger in their skepticism of doing too much to support Ukraine and others. European countries like the war are raging and its leaders are worried that Putin has broader military ambitions. For his part, Biden called on the Senate to ratify “as soon as possible.”