Biden supported NATO’s open door policy
Joe Biden on Friday met with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto to discuss closer defense and security co-operation between the three countries, as well as related efforts to strengthen transatlantic security.
Biden reiterated his support for NATO’s open door policy and for Finland and Sweden to decide on their future, foreign policy and security arrangements.
The leaders of the three countries also discussed close co-operation between their countries on global issues, based on common values and interests.
They also reiterated their common commitment to continue coordination in support of Ukraine and its people.
“NATO is a defense alliance, not an offensive one,” White House spokesman Jen Saki told reporters Thursday evening local time. And Finland and Sweden are two close allies of the United States.
A White House spokesman claimed that the United States and NATO had no hostile intentions against Russia, but that Vladimir Putin had raised the issue and increased support for NATO membership.
The White House has previously stated that Washington supports NATO’s open door policy.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Anne Linde has said that her country has received assurances from the United States that it will be supported by the 30 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) when considering its application for membership. Took.
Sweden and neighboring Finland remained outside NATO during the Cold War.
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, said Thursday local time that the committee would begin a “quick review” of Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO if the two countries decide to join the military alliance.
At least two-thirds of the US Senate must vote in favor of new countries joining NATO.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will travel to Germany on Saturday to attend a meeting of NATO foreign ministers on the response to the Ukraine war.
German Foreign Minister Annalna Bayerbock last month invited NATO foreign ministers to an informal meeting in Berlin.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says any membership process will be “smooth and quick” and that Finland’s membership in the alliance will be welcomed.
Finland and Sweden are set to announce in the coming days whether they are candidates for NATO membership. Finland will most likely respond positively, but the Swedes are still skeptical.
A Kremlin spokesman stressed that Finland’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would definitely pose a threat to Russia’s security.