president Joe biden signs the instrument of ratification

📷: President Joe Biden signs the Instruments of Ratification for the Accession Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty for the Kingdom of Sweden in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, August 9, 2022.  

👉 President Joe Biden formally welcomed Finland and Sweden joining the NATO alliance Tuesday as he signed the instruments of ratification that delivered the U.S.’s formal backing of the Nordic nations entering the mutual defense pact. It's part of a reshaping of the European security posture after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Senate last week approved the two, once-non-aligned nations joining the alliance in a rare 95-1 vote. The countries sought out NATO membership earlier this year to guarantee their security in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offensive in Ukraine. All 30 exiting members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must consent before Finland and Sweden can officially accede into the alliance. (AP)