The French parliament supports the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO
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France’s National Assembly voted to ratify Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO on Tuesday after the two countries’ historic decision to give up their neutrality amid the war in Ukraine. All 30 NATO member states need to formally ratify the measure before Sweden and Finland can enjoy the full protection of Article 5 of the NATO charter in the event of an attack. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).
02:05: The US Senate will hold a vote on Wednesday on the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO
The US Senate will hold votes on Wednesday to approve both Finland and Sweden joining NATO, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Tuesday.
Schumer said the debate will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET (1730 GMT).
01:35: The French parliament ratifies Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to NATO
France’s National Assembly voted to ratify the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO on Tuesday, following the two countries’ historic decision to give up their neutrality. The measure was adopted with 209 votes in favor and 46 against.
France joins “twenty allies” that “have already ratified the protocols,” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said.
All thirty NATO member states need to formally ratify the measure before Sweden and Finland can enjoy the full protection of Article 5 of the NATO Charter in the event of an attack. Meanwhile, Turkey is threatening to “freeze” the process, accusing the two Scandinavian countries of helping the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its allies, which Ankara considers terrorist organizations.
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The United States on Tuesday blacklisted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s alleged girlfriend and the owner of London’s second-largest property in the latest round of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.
Also hit by US business bans were several other oligarchs believed to be close to Putin, four officials Russia has appointed to administer occupied territories in Ukraine, and about two dozen high-tech institutes and companies, including key state-backed electronics entities.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)