France's President Emmanuel Macron signs NATO membership protocols for Finland and Sweden

In midst of ruthless war between Russia and Ukraine, President of France, Emmanuel Macron has recently inked protocols for Finland and Sweden to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). According to Kyiv Independent, Macron said, "This sovereign choice of Finland and Sweden, two European partners, will reinforce ir security in face of a real menace in ir immediate neighborhood."

On August 3, France's National Assembly (lower house of parliament) approved protocol for Finland and Sweden's NATO membership. This comes as all NATO members are obligated to ratify Finland and Sweden's membership before it can take effect, Tass reported. More than 20 of alliance's 30 member nations have alrey done so.

US supports Finland and Sweden joining NATO

Moreover, near-unanimous bipartisan support from United States senators has been given to Finland and Sweden joining NATO. On August 4, y called this a "slam-dunk" move for US national security and a day of consequence for Russian President Vlimir Putin for inving Ukraine, Associated Press reported.  

NATO and its 73-year-old deal of mutual defence among US and democratic allies in Europe took a significant action toward expansion on Wednesday, August 3, with a 95-1 vote, for candidacy of two Western European countries that, prior to Russia-Ukraine war, h long avoided military alliances. 

Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leer, asked ambassors of two countries to watch vote from Chamber gallery. 

As per Associated Press report, US President Joe Biden has been a key figure in securing financial and material backing from across world for Ukraine. He has pushed for two formerly non-aligned norrn European countries to gain mission quickly. 

In almost three months after two Norrn European countries applied for bid, approval of ir candidacies has been ratified by more than half of NATO members. Furr, it moves at a rapid pace to convey a message to Russia over its six-month conflict with pro-Western government of Ukraine. 

Finland and Sweden submitted applications to join NATO on May 18, but, Turkey immediately halted process, demanding that se nations label Kurdish organisations terrorists, extrite those to Ankara with suspicion of terrorism or involvement in failed coup of 2016, and lift sanctions on export of weapons to Turkey.  

Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Sweden, as well as Finland on June 28 signed a memorandum that removes barriers to joining of two nations to NATO. However, Ankara later stated that it was not final and that Turkish parliament might not endorse it if Stockholm and Helsinki did not uphold ir obligations to combat terrorist organisations. 

(Image: AP)