US approves Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership

The US approves Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership, backing the expansion of the transatlantic alliance in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

The Senate voted 95 to 1 on Wednesday in favour of Finland and Sweden joining, making the US the 23rd of the 30 NATO countries to formally endorse it so far. Italy approved it on Wednesday and France on Tuesday. 

Following the vote, President Biden said it sent an important message of the US commitment to NATO. “I look forward to signing the accession protocols and welcoming Sweden and Finland,” he added.

Republican Josh Hawley was the only opponent – he says the US should focus on protecting the US and that Washington should look at the challenge from China rather than Europe. 

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