U.S. President Joe Biden “warmly welcomes and strongly supports Finland and Sweden’s historic candidacies for NATO membership,” according to a statement released Wednesday by the White House.
While their applications for membership inNATO Considered, the United States will cooperate with Finland and Sweden to remain vigilant to any threat to our common security, and to deter and respond to any aggression or threat of aggression.the American executive also ensures.
The Democratic president, who will receive Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Saulistö at the White House on Thursday, said he was Looking forward to working with the U.S. Congress and our alliesNATO to quickly bring Finland and Sweden to the strongest defense alliance in history.
The two countries on Wednesday submitted their applications to joinNATObut Turkey, which is granted like all member countries the right to veto in case it grows up, has refused to open accession talks.
Historically incompatible, Sweden and Finland have undergone a change since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which also swayed their previously reluctant public opinion to join theNATO.
With the exception of Ankara, their applications were enthusiastically received by other member countries.
And especially the United States, which without waiting for the official deposit of the candidates has already expressed their support and engaged in intense negotiations.
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin received his Swedish counterpart Peter Hultqvist.
” The United States strongly supports Sweden’s candidacy forNATO. Your skills are modern, relevant and important, and your coming to the Alliance will allow us all to defend ourselves better. “
The Swedish Minister for his part affirmed that Russia seeks to change the international order and the security of Europe.
Its attack on Ukraine represents a lasting threat to Europe’s security structures. This is the time when democracies in Europe and North America must unite against outright Russian aggression.did he declare.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his part met with the Secretary -General ofNATOJens Stoltenberg, according to American diplomacy.
Turkey could close the Alliance’s door on the two Nordic countries on two occasions: by refusing to sign accession protocols or by refusing to ratify them. The unity of 30 Alliance members is required for each stage.
Ankara accused Sweden of being the nursery of terrorist organizationssuch as the Kurdistan Workers ’Party, and criticized the two Nordic countries for not approving requests for the extradition of people accused of being terrorists as well as freezing arms exports to Turkey.
Source: Radio-Canada
