Countries submitted applications to join the Alliance against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The US House of Representatives passed a resolution in support of < strong>accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, reports The Hill.
The resolution was supported by 394 votes, 18 republicans voted against. Also according to the publication, two Democrats and 17 Republicans did not vote.
The resolution expresses support for the “historic decision” of Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership and calls on member states to officially support their joining of the Alliance.
The resolution also opposes any attempts by the Russian Federation to respond hostilely to the decision of Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance and calls on NATO members to fulfill their obligations regarding defense spending.
The desire of Finland and Sweden to join NATO has increased, especially since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Democratic Party) expressed support for the resolution and emphasized the value that these countries will be brought into the Alliance.
“Together, Finland and Sweden will add significant capabilities to NATO's collective defense and make the Baltic region more secure in the face of Russian aggression,” Hoyer said.
He also called for a “strategic defeat” of Russia in the war, emphasizing the international significance of Kyiv's victory.
“Vladimir Putin must not win this war. Not only for the sake of the Ukrainians and their extraordinary bravery, as well as the bravery and leadership of Zelenskyi, their president, but because the free world must send a very strong, clear and unmistakable signal that tyranny will not win,” he said.
Congressman Michael Turner, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee and the author of the resolution, said that Finland and Sweden will be important to the security of NATO. with the US and NATO mean that their entry will quickly strengthen transatlantic security,” he said during a debate in the House of Representatives.
“Finland and Sweden have well-trained armed forces, modern sophisticated weapons systems and have committed to allocating two percent of their gross domestic product to defense spending. Both armies are well compatible with NATO forces, they have participated in numerous NATO-led operations,” he added.
Read also: Finland passed a law on strengthening border security with the Russian Federation
NATO has officially started the process of accepting Sweden and Finland into the Alliance. The decision was supported by all 30 leaders.
Also, the leaders of Turkey, Sweden and Finland signed a memorandum based on the results of the negotiations held in Madrid, on the prospects of Helsinki and Stockholm joining the Alliance.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again threatened to block the NATO membership process for Sweden and Finland despite an agreement reached at the end of June to give the green light to their application.
Moscow reacts nervously on such a prospect of expansion of the Alliance. But will Russia open a “second front” in the Baltic Sea? About this in the article by Alina Hrytsenko“Sweden on the way to NATO: how will Russia respond?”.
