Biden to host leaders of Sweden and Finland at White House as countries look to join NATO
President Joe Biden on Thursday will welcome the
Prime Minister of Sweden and the President of Finland to the
White House in a key show of support days after both countries announced they would seek to
join NATO.
The leaders are expected to discuss
Finland and
Sweden's NATO applications,
European security and support for
Ukraine amid Russia's invasion,
White House press secretary
Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Both countries are looking to join the military alliance after
Russia's assault on
Ukraine sparked renewed security concerns across the region. Their historic bids to
join NATO represent a dramatic evolution in
European security and geopolitics.
The
U.S. and other
NATO leaders have expressed support for
Finland and Sweden joining the military alliance.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the
U.S. would
"strongly support" their
NATO applications.
