Biden: US to help Finland, Sweden in case of threats
United States President Joe Biden expressed on Wednesday his country's readiness to help Finland and Sweden in case they face a threat of aggression even if at that moment their candidacies for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are still being considered.
"Finland and Sweden are longtime, stalwart partners of the US. By joining NATO, they will further strengthen our defense cooperation and benefit the entire Transatlantic Alliance. Together with our NATO Allies, the US will maintain its robust exercise activity and presence in the Baltic Sea region," Biden said in a statement following his meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson at the White House.
Earlier in the day, Finland and Sweden presented a joint bid to enter NATO. Later, it was reported Turkey has blocked their candidacies over their alleged support for Kurdish groups Ankara has designated as terrorist organizations.