Joe Biden: US President sees NATO alliance more united and stronger than ever

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Signing the instrument of ratification: Vice President Kamala Harris, US President Joe Biden, Swedish Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter and Finnish Ambassador Mikko Hautala

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SAUL LOEB v AFP

US President Joe Biden has emphasized the strength of the alliance in view of the planned NATO accession of Finland and Sweden.

“Our alliance is closer than ever.

It's more united than ever.

And when Finland and Sweden increase the number of allies to 32, we will be stronger than ever,” Biden said at the signing of US instruments of ratification for accession.

Last week, Democrats and Republicans in the US Senate voted in favor of NATO's northern expansion with a surprisingly large majority.

According to Washington, you are the 23rd of the 30 NATO member states to have agreed to join.

"Putin thought he could break us up"

"At a time when Putin's Russia has shattered peace and security in Europe, when autocrats are questioning the very foundations of a rules-based order, the strength of the transatlantic alliance and America's commitment to NATO are more important than ever," Biden said .

“Putin thought he could break us up.

Instead, he's now getting exactly what he didn't want.” Biden urged the remaining allies to complete their own ratification processes as quickly as possible.

After the Russian attack on Ukraine, Finland and Sweden had applied to join the Western Defense Alliance.

Before the accession protocols can come into force, they have to be ratified by the 30 NATO member states.

It is still unclear whether Turkey will join - it was initially the only country to block the accession process.

yup/dpa