Both nations have submitted applications to join NATO.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden will welcome the Prime Minister of Sweden and the President of Finland to the White House. They will discuss the application of both Scandinavian nations to join NATO, as well as overall European security and support for Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia.
The bids of Sweden and Finland to join the military alliance represent a dramatic shift in European geopolitics and have been decried by Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the U.S. would “strongly support” the NATO applications.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated early this week that Russia “will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to stop the threats to its national security arising in this regard.”.
Turkey, a NATO member, has also expressed opposition to the moves by Sweden and Finland.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the U.S. president and leaders of Sweden and Finland as the applications to NATO are considered.
- For administration officials as Russia makes menacing moves at the Finnish border.
- For U.S. and NATO officials to be discerning in their responses to Russia.
Sources: CNN, Washington Examiner
