President Biden expressed his readiness to sign the document as soon as possible.
The US Senate voted to adopt the resolution on the ratification of the membership of Sweden and Finland in NATO, reports CNN.
The historic vote of 95 votes “for” is aimed at strengthening the defense bloc against the background of Russia's war in Ukraine. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri voted against it.
At the end of June, NATO formalized its invitation to Sweden and Finland to join the alliance, and the decision was sent to the parliaments and legislatures of the 30 member states for final ratification. President Joe Biden sent the protocols to the Senate for ratification in July.
The ambassadors of Finland and Sweden were present in the hall during the adoption of the document.
“Our NATO alliance is the foundation that guarantees democracy in the Western world since the end of the Second World War. This further strengthens NATO and is especially necessary in light of recent Russian aggression,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during a speech on the Senate floor.
After the Senate approves the protocols on the accession of Sweden and Finland to the NATO, “the next step in the ratification process is the signing of this document by the President. Then it will be sent for storage to the depository of NATO treaties.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the decision of the US Senate to support the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO and expressed his readiness to sign the necessary documents as soon as possible.
Read also: Finland proposes NATO base on Russian border
Sweden and Finland announced their intention to join NATO in May after Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused a sudden reversal attitude to joining the bloc.
On June 29, NATO officially started the process of accepting Sweden and Finland.
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On July 5, the accession protocols were signed .
