Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson, US President Joe Biden and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö are leaving the White House Rose Garden on May 19. (Andrew Harnik / AP)
The leaders of Sweden and Finland met with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday after submitting applications for NATO membership on Wednesday.
Here’s what you need to know about what the leaders said at the Rose Garden press conference after their cabinet meeting.
Biden offers “strong support” for Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO bids
“Finnish and Swedish troops, they have already served side by side with US and NATO forces in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. “Both Finland and Sweden are already working in coordination with the United States and our other allies and partners in support of Ukraine’s brave people,” Biden said, adding that the countries now meet all NATO requirements, “and then some.”
The Biden Administration will present reports to the US Congress on this accession to NATO for both countries
This is “so that the Senate can effectively and quickly move to advice and agreement with the treaty,” Biden said Thursday. Within the United States, at least two-thirds of the Senate must vote in favor of new member states in the defense alliance. Similarly, the legislatures of all 30 current members must approve new candidates for NATO.
The leaders of Finland and Sweden have expressed hope for speedy ratification
“Russia’s war in Ukraine has changed Europe and our security environment. Finland is taking the step towards NATO membership not only to strengthen its own security, but also to strengthen broader transatlantic security,” said Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.
Finland has a common border with Russia, 800 miles long.
“The Swedish government has come to the conclusion that the security of the Swedish people will be best protected within the NATO alliance, and this is supported by very broad support in the Swedish parliament,” said Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson.
Turkey was also mentioned by every leader
As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated earlier Thursday, his country “will say no to Sweden and Finland joining NATO”.
He explained, citing national security concerns. Earlier this week, Erdogan accused both sides of accommodating Kurdish “terrorist organizations”.
He was referring mainly to the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), which is seeking an independent state in Turkey. The group has been fighting Ankara for decades and has been identified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.
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