Thế Giới

The US pledges to support Sweden and Finland if threatened

The US President declared “strong support” for Sweden and Finland to join NATO, pledging to side with these two countries in the face of threats.

US President Joe Biden yesterday welcomed Sweden and Finland’s applications to join NATO, saying he would work with other NATO member countries and the US Congress to ensure a speedy admission process.





US President Joe Biden at the White House on May 16.  Photo: AFP

US President Joe Biden at the White House on May 16. Image: AFP.

“I warmly welcome and strongly support this historic accession decision. While the application is reviewed, the United States will work with Finland and Sweden to remain vigilant against any threats to our common security, and deter and confront attack or threat of attack,” Biden said, calling the two nations “long-standing, enduring partners.”

The US president made the statement a day before welcoming Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson to the White House.

U.S. officials pledged to work with Sweden and Finland to address key issues in the NATO accession process, including security guarantees before they were accepted into membership and Turkey’s reaction to NATO. for the two countries to join.

Turkey, a NATO member state, has opposed Sweden and Finland joining the alliance. Ankara accuses the two countries of providing safe havens for members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey and its Western allies consider a terrorist.

The meeting of NATO ambassadors in Brussels on May 18 failed because there was no consensus to start the negotiation process to become a full member.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration was confident that Turkey’s concerns could be addressed and that Sweden and Finland would join the coalition.





Seven decades of NATO advance in Europe.  Graphics: Statista.  Click on the picture to see details.

Seven decades of NATO advance in Europe. Graphics: Statista. Click on the picture to see details.

Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist also met US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, discussing joining NATO and security cooperation. US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said that the sides are very familiar with each other and have conducted many joint exercises, stressing that the Pentagon is ready to ensure the security of these two countries.

Russia has expressed anger at the scenario of NATO continuing to expand eastwards shortly after Sweden and Finland expressed their intention to join the alliance. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on May 16 that NATO expansion was indeed “a problem”, arguing that the move was in the interest of the US.

Hong Hanh (According to AFP)

You are reading the article The US pledges to support Sweden and Finland if threatened
at Blogtuan.info – Source: vnexpress.net – Read the original article here

Back to top button