Biden signs NATO applications for Finland, Sweden
President Biden on Tuesday signed the ratification documents for Sweden and Finland to join NATO, bringing the two countries one step closer to formally becoming part of the alliance.
Why it matters: Triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, applications by Sweden and Finland to join NATO would significantly change the security landscape in Europe and more than double the length of the alliance’s borders with Russia.
Game mode: Biden’s signing of the protocols follows the Senate’s bipartisan vote last week to ratify the two countries’ applications to NATO.
What they say: Biden hailed Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO as a “watershed” for the alliance that would provide greater security and stability for the entire world.
- “At a moment when Putin’s Russia has shattered peace and security in Europe, when autocrats are challenging the very foundations of a rules-based order, the strength of the transatlantic alliance and US commitment to NATO are more important than ever.” Biden said.
- Biden added that NATO is an “indispensable alliance for today’s world and tomorrow’s world” and that Finland and Sweden’s addition will make NATO “stronger than ever.”
What comes next: All 30 member states must ratify the accession protocolsa process that can take months.
- So far, 23 NATO member states have completed the ratification process with seven remaining, according to Atlantic Council.
Go deeper: Why NATO was formed and why Finland and Sweden want to join the alliance