Remarks by President Biden at the Signing of the Instruments of Ratification of the Protocols of Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty for Finland and Sweden
East room
2:19 p.m. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please.
(“Hi to the Boss” concludes.) It’s never played this long. (Laugh.)
Thank you very much everyone and good afternoon. Vice President Harris and First Gentleman – well, actually the Second Gentleman, but you’re really my First Gentleman. (Laughter.) And ambassadors, members of Congress — thank you all for being here today. I think it’s a pretty big day.
Just a few months ago, I welcomed — I welcomed Finnish President Niinistö and Swedish Prime Minister Andersson to the White House to show the strong support that the United States had for Finland’s and Sweden’s decision to apply for membership in NATO.
And two proud and independent countries, each with a long tradition – a long tradition of non-alignment, exercising their sovereign right to make their own decisions about their security. And to respond to the will of their citizens, follow their democratic processes they have, and choose to join NATO.
It was and is a watershed, I think, in the alliance and for increased security and stability, not only for Europe and the United States, but for the world.
And today we are taking another important step towards getting Sweden and Finland into NATO.
In just a few minutes, I will sign the American instrument of ratification, making the United States the 23rd ally to approve the membership of Sweden and Finland in the strongest, most powerful defensive alliance in the history of the world.
I just called both the President and the Prime Minister—they are sending their best—(laughter)—and I want to congratulate them on the tremendous progress so far.
Together, we have committed that the United States, Finland and Sweden would continue to be vigilant against any threat to our common security and deter any confrontation and confront any aggression or threat of aggression that may arise.
And I urge the remaining Allies to complete their own ratification as quickly as possible.
For more than seven decades, a strong, united NATO has been the foundation of American security—not just in Europe but, frankly, the foundation of our security around the world.
That is how we have led the world together with the nations that share our vision and, more importantly, our values.
It is important now to deter threats before they harm our people, our allies and our interests. You know, that’s how we deal with instability and aggression, with allies by our side, reinforces — reinforces the ability to respond effectively.
Sweden and Finji- — and Sweden and Finland have strong democratic institutions, strong militaries and strong and transparent economies. They will meet all NATO requirements. we are sure of it. And we will — and make our alliance stronger, and it will make America and the American people safer in the process.
That’s why the US Senate gave its advice and consent to Sweden and Finland’s membership with overwhelming support: 95 votes in favor, close — a near-record pace.
We are showing the world that America can still do great things.
This near-unanimous bipartisan ratification — ra- — sends another important message: The United States is committed — the United States is committed to the transatlantic alliance.
Together with our allies and partners, we will write the future we want to see – the future we want to see. And 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 America’s commitment to NATO are more important than ever.
That is why, in June, in Madrid, at a crucial NATO summit, all 30 nations came together to invite Finland and Sweden to apply.
It was a display of Allied unity, Allied strength and Allied resolve – proof that NATO’s door remains open to countries in Europe who share our values and who meet our Alliance’s high standards.
Putin thought he could break us apart. When all this started, he thought he could tear us apart, in my view, weaken our resolve. Instead, he gets exactly what he didn’t want.
He wanted Findalization [Finlandization] of NATO, but he is in the process of NATOizing Finland – (laughter) – together with Sweden. (Applause.) I really mean it.
In their quest to join NATO, Finland and Sweden make a sacred commitment that an attack against one is an attack against all. It is Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and the core – the very core of our alliance. And our allies have committed to Article 5, and it’s stronger than ever – that commitment.
The only time in history Article 5 has been invoked was on 9/11, when the United States was attacked and all of our allies rallied to our side. The United States will never forget that, and we will never fail in our promise to defend every, every, every inch of NATO.
That is why, together with our allies, we are taking steps to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and strengthen our deterrence
against any threat of aggression against the alliance.
You know, and we will be better able to meet the new challenges of a changing European security environment with two strong, reliable, very capable, new allies in the North.
You know, NATO was formed out of the wreckage of WWII, as we all know.
Where war – you know, it had – look, just be straight about it: war has repeatedly torn apart a continent, engulfed the world in conflict and – and there’s no way to avoid it unless we’re together. NATO laid a new foundation for lasting peace and security.
And through more than seven decades that followed, NATO has proven to be the indispensable alliance, committed to a Europe whole, free and at peace.
Today we see all too clearly how NATO remains an indispensable alliance for today’s and tomorrow’s world.
Our alliance is closer than ever. It is more united than ever. And when Finland and Sweden raise the number of allies to 32, we will be stronger than ever – stronger than ever. (Applause.)
And this will benefit all our people – all our people.
Now I’m going to go over to that table over there and sign the US instrument of ratification that communicates US support for Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO.
And thank you all for being here. And I want to ask the ambassadors if they would be willing to come up and stand with me while I sign. Okay? Thanks. (Applause.)
(The President signs the United States’ instrument of ratification for Finland’s and Sweden’s membership in NATO.) (Applause.)
2:28 p.m. EDT