7 more ratifications required for Finland, Sweden NATO accession

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Aug 2022 21:38

Following the US Senate's ratification of the accession of Finland and Sweden, only 7 other member states out of the 30 still need to ratify the accession bid.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

The number of outstanding approvals has decreased to 7 after the US Senate ratified Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO, said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday.

Stoltenberg reported from Norway that “a few hours ago, the US Senate ratified the accession protocols. This brings to 23 the number of Allies which have now ratified Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO."

The Secretary-General stated that many other members of the alliance are close to finishing their national procedures during his visit to the island of Utoya. “So far, this has been the fastest accession process in NATO's modern history,” he added.

The US Senate voted 95 to 1 to ratify Finland and Sweden's NATO application to join the alliance on Wednesday, reaching the two-thirds threshold needed for approval.

In order for the applications to be accepted, all 30 NATO members must unanimously approve the application. Both countries have been neutral for decades before applying for membership, which was instigated after the war in Ukraine started.

Helsinki and Oslo were on their way to joining NATO before Turkey decided to use its veto power, which ended only after the latter enforced its conditions.

One request vs. a long list of conditions
While #Turkey had a long list of conditions from #Finland and #Sweden, all the two Nordic states wanted was to join #NATO.
Here's your guide to understanding on what basis the agreement was made. pic.twitter.com/Aw7Jtu7frp
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 28, 2022

Earlier, on July 28, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned that Russia will respond to threats posed by Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO.

Medvedev had arrived in Finland's bordering Karelia region earlier in the day to hold a security meeting and inspect a border checkpoint.

"As for our reaction to the entry of these countries into NATO, then, as the president of our country [Vladimir Putin] said, this reaction will be symmetrical," Medvedev said during a press conference.

Medvedev also stated that Russia should reconsider its relations with Finland and Sweden following their decision to join NATO.