Biden to meet with Swedish and Finnish leaders after their nations apply to join NATO

Sweden and Finland’s bids to join NATO come in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine, which sparked security concerns across the region. Their bids to join the alliance mark a dramatic evolution in European security and geopolitics.

The three leaders are expected to speak in front of the press on Thursday at the White House “to affirm our shared vision for a peaceful and secure Euro-Atlantic region,” Sullivan said.

Both Finland and Sweden already meet many of the requirements to be a NATO member, which include having a functioning democratic political system based on a market economy; treating minority populations fairly; committing to resolve conflicts peacefully; the ability and willingness to make a military contribution to NATO operations; and committing to democratic civil-military relations and institutions.

All 30 NATO members must give unanimous approval for a country to be accepted into the alliance.

But while many NATO members have expressed support for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, the move has been met with resistance by Russia and Turkey — a NATO member.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO would not create a threat to Russia, but the “expansion of military infrastructure into this territory will certainly cause our response.” And the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that Russia “will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to stop the threats to its national security arising in this regard.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said this week that he would not approve Sweden and Finland’s membership if they sanction Turkey, and that delegations from the nations should not bother coming to Turkey to try to convince that nation to approve their country’s NATO membership.

Sullivan said on Wednesday that the White House is “confident” that the applications for membership to NATO will be approved, despite Turkey’s concerns.

Both Sweden and Finland are both engaged with Turkey regarding its concerns, as well as top US officials, he said.

Biden on Wednesday also seemed optimistic that Turkey would come around.

When asked how he will convince Turkey to support Finland and Sweden’s bids for membership, Biden told reporters, “The leaders of Finland and Sweden are coming to see me on Thursday. I think we’re gonna be OK.”

Thursday’s White House meeting with the two northern European leaders will take place just before Biden is expected to depart for a four-day trip to South Korea and Japan — his first trip to Asia as President.