US President Joe Biden will receive Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö at the White House on Thursday, May 17, his spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Read alsoThe accession of Finland and Sweden, a strategic transformation for NATO
They "
will discuss the candidacies of Finland and Sweden to NATO, and European security
", as well as "
support for Ukraine
" attacked by Russia, she said.
The announcement from the White House comes as the Finnish Parliament has just voted Tuesday in favor of NATO membership with an overwhelming majority of more than 95%, allowing the sending of the official candidacy of the Nordic country.
Sweden officially announced its candidacy on Monday, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, referring on this occasion to a new “
era
” for the Scandinavian country.
Turkey threatens to block the process
By taking the time to receive the two leaders, before leaving for a long-planned diplomatic tour in Asia, Joe Biden strongly marks his support for the accession of the two countries to the Atlantic alliance.
And this at a time when Turkey, already a member of NATO and as such endowed with a right of veto against any enlargement, is threatening to block the process.
Read alsoAnkara spoils the celebration of the future accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO
Historically non-aligned, Sweden and Finland have made a historic turnaround since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which also swayed their public opinion, previously reluctant to join NATO.
With the exception of Ankara, their applications have been enthusiastically received by other member countries.
The United States has already hinted that it will offer the two countries security guarantees while the membership process lasts.
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