Text/Dongfeng
On Wednesday, local time, US Defense Secretary Austin expressed his welcome to Sweden and Finland to join the US-led NATO, Austin also said, "If Sweden joins NATO, NATO will better protect itself." At the same time, the United States gave Sweden and Finland "security assurances." U.S. National Security Adviser Sullivan warned Wednesday that the United States would not "tolerate" any "aggression" against Sweden and Finland as the two Nordic countries prepare to join NATO.
Austin said before meeting with Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist at the Pentagon, "Our two militaries often exercise together. Your abilities are modern, relevant, and important. Your joining NATO will make us better at defending ourselves... This is especially important at this critical juncture. ”
Sweden and the Nordic nation of Finland, which officially applied this week to join the 30-member NATO, which was formed after World War II, has been the focus of international discussion since the Kremlin's special military operation against Ukraine, as the conflict threatens to spill over to countries near the border between Russia and Ukraine.
Article 5 of the NATO treaty stipulates that an attack on one member state will be interpreted as an attack on all member states and provide some degree of protection for Ukraine's neighbors such as Poland. Since the beginning of the war, Russian warplanes have "violated" the airspace of Sweden and Finland, prompting the two countries to seek the support and protection of the alliance.
Finland and Sweden's applications were fully supported by the Biden administration. Senior U.S. National Security Adviser Sullivan said Wednesday that the United States is "confident" that Sweden and Finland will succeed in being promoted to NATO membership. That said, Biden's national security team unanimously supports Finland and Sweden joining NATO. Sullivan told reporters at the White House, citing "the fact that they have proven themselves to be very capable security partners ... They pay far more than they do when it comes to security partnerships or alliances. ”
Austin reiterated the message at the Pentagon and praised Stockholm's support for Kiev since the war began. "Sweden has joined the United States and its allies and partners in urgently providing the brave Ukrainian people with the security and humanitarian assistance they need," Austin said. Your leadership has brought new determination and determination to the Swedish defence and security services. ”
Meanwhile, Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hutqvist responded that although the U.S. and Swedish militaries have cooperated in the past, Russian military operations have changed the situation. He said Moscow was "trying to change the European and global security order" and that its attack on Ukraine "poses a structural and long-term threat to European security" and that "now is the time when the democracies of Europe and North America must stand together against Russia's naked 'aggression.'"
It is reported that US President Biden is scheduled to welcome Finnish President Sholi Niinistö and Swedish Prime Minister Anderson at the White House on Thursday local time to coordinate the "way forward" for the two countries to join NATO. While the protection provisions of Article 5 of the NATO Treaty do not enter into force until a country officially becomes a nato member, Sullivan said the United States and its allies "will not tolerate" "aggression" against Finland and Sweden in the process.
Sullivan said the United States and NATO allies were prepared to send a very clear message to any "potential aggressor" such as Russia during the application process, "We will not tolerate any aggression against Finland or Sweden, and we can take some practical measures in this regard" and that the United States is "ready" to ensure the defense capabilities of Finland and Sweden when necessary.
Asked what that would mean, the Pentagon did not provide details, but said the U.S. military would be happy to discuss with Sweden and Finland "the security and capability needs they may need to help ensure their security and deter Russia if necessary" in the process of applying to join NATO.