US President Joseph Biden met with the leaders of Sweden and Finland after the two Scandinavian countries applied for NATO membership, which is currently opposed by Turkey.
Biden, who praised the cooperation between Europe and the United States of America (USA) in confronting Moscow during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, addressed reporters in the White House rose garden along with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson and Finnish President Sauli Ninisto.
The US president pointed out that this is an extremely important day, and said that he strongly supports the decision of "two great democracies" to join "the strongest defense alliance in the history of the world".
"They meet every NATO standard and more," Biden said, adding that he would submit the necessary documents to Congress for quick adoption once NATO approves their admission.
Turkey has expressed strong opposition to the admission of Finland and Sweden to the Western alliance, and called on Sweden to stop supporting Kurdish extremists who Ankara considers part of a terrorist group.
All 30 NATO members should agree on the admission of new members. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a video posted on his Twitter account on Thursday that he had told allies that he would vote against the membership of Sweden and Finland.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Wednesday that US officials were confident it was possible to respond to Turkey's objections, and Biden told reporters: "I think we'll be OK."
On Wednesday, Biden welcomed the "important decision" by Sweden and Finland to join NATO, which was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"I warmly welcome and strongly support the historic decisions of Finland and Sweden to join NATO, and I hope that Congress and our allies will make sure that the two countries quickly join the strongest defense alliance in the world."
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Swedish counterpart Peter Hultqvist that "the US looks forward to Sweden's contribution to the NATO alliance."
"This is the moment when democracies in Europe and North America should unite against Russian aggression," said Hultqvist.
Finland and Sweden officially submitted their application to join NATO at the alliance's headquarters on Wednesday, marking the start of an accession process that is expected to last only a few weeks.
Both countries were neutral during the Cold War, and their decision to join NATO is one of the most significant changes to Europe's security architecture in decades, reflecting a major shift in public opinion in the Nordic region since Russia's February 24 invasion.
"This is a historic moment, which we must seize," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a brief ceremony where the Swedish and Finnish ambassadors to the alliance handed over their letters of application, each in a white folder emblazoned with their national flag.
"I warmly welcome the requests of Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners, and your membership in NATO will increase our common security," Stoltenberg said.
The Alliance believes that the accession of Finland and Sweden would greatly strengthen the Baltic Sea.
Ratification by all 30 allied parliaments could take up to a year, diplomats say.
Turkey has surprised its allies in recent days by saying it has reservations about Finnish and Swedish membership. Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that he thought the problems could be resolved.
"We are determined to work on all issues and reach quick conclusions," Stoltenberg said, noting the strong support of all other allies.
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