NATO officially invites Sweden and Finland to become members of the military bloc

NATO formally invited Sweden and Finland to join alliance on June 29, in a historic expansion of defence bloc that directly contricts Russian President Vlimir Putin's objectives as his war in Ukraine continues. After Turkey dropped its objections on June 28, group unanimously decided to approve countries' applications for membership, paving way for NATO's most significant enlargement in deces.

statement res, " accession of Finland and Sweden will make m safer, NATO stronger, and Euro-Atlantic area more secure. security of Finland and Sweden is of direct importance to Alliance, including during accession process."

decision will now be sent to parliaments and legislatures of 30 member countries for final approval. NATO leers predicted that process would move quickly, allowing for an unprecedentedly quick accession and a show of unity against Putin. leers arrived at talks on June 29 buoyed by a diplomatic victory after Turkey dropped its objections to two countries joining NATO, clearing way for two long-time allies to join defensive alliance.

Stoltenberg calls NATO's formal invitation to Sweden and Finland a 'historic decision'

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg described alliance's formal invitation to Sweden and Finland to join defence alliance as a "historic decision." agreement reached last night by Turkey, Finland, and Sweden paved way for this decision, Stoltenberg said at a press conference.

He described how, in vance of Monday's crucial meeting between Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, two rounds of talks were held in Brussels under his supervision. On June 28, Turkey agreed to drop its objections to ir membership bids, clearing way for m to join NATO. expansion vote, combined with significant new commitments bolstering NATO's force posture in Europe, contributed to this week's summit in Mrid being one of most productive in recent memory. 

US President Joe Biden and or NATO leers gared in Mrid to announce a significant strengning of forces along alliance's eastern flank, as Russia's war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating. Biden, who spoke alongside Stoltenberg, listed new troop movements, equipment shipments, and military installations meant to demonstrate importance of security in face of Moscow's aggression.

(Image: AP)