President Biden met with two world leaders who have expressed a desire to join NATO in the months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Standing next to Finnish president, Sauli Niinisto, and Sweden’s Prime Minister, Magdalena Anderson in the Rose Garden, president Biden gave his statement on the two nations’ bid to become allies of NATO.
“Today, I am proud to welcome and offer the strong support of the United States for the applications of the great democracies and two close, highly capable partners to join the strongest, most powerful defensive alliaonce in the history of the world. Two proud, independent countries exercising their sovereign right all states possess to decide their own security…
“This is about the future. It’s about a revived NATO that has the tools and resources, the clarity and conviction to defend our shared values and lead the world…
“Sweden and Finland are among our closest partners on a range of issues, from strengthening peace and stability to advancing human rights, to taking on climate crisis and addressing food insecurity, from strengthening the global health to promoting development…
“Sweden and Finland has strong democratic institutions, strong militaries, and strong transparent economies, and a strong moral sense of what is right.
“They meet every NATO requirement and then some. And having two new NATO members in the High North will enhance the security out our alliance and deepen our security cooperation across the board…
“The bottom line is simple and straightforward: Finland and Sweden make NATO stronger, not just because of their capacity, but because they’re strong, strong democracies. And a strong united NATO is the foundation of America’s security…
“So, let me be clear: New members joining NATO is not a threat to any nation. It never has been. NATO’s purpose is to defend against aggression. That’s it’s purpose: to defend…
“And I look forward to soon calling Sweden and Finland our friends, partners and NATO allies…”
Turkey opposes the two countries in joining NATO, due to criticisms of placing bans on military exports to Turkey and their support of the Kurdistan Workers Party ( aka the PKK ), that both Turkey and the United States recognize as an alleged terrorist organization.
Sources: ABC News, CNN, The Week, Los Angeles Times.
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