US Senate panel approves Finland, Sweden NATO bids
WASHINGTON (AA) – The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted Tuesday to approve Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO memberships, setting up a vote in the wider chamber.
The passage of what are known as the Nordic countries’ ascension protocols was met without opposition during a voice vote. The only vote not in approval came from Republican Senator Rand Paul, who voted “present.”
The Senate is widely expected to provide far more than the needed two-thirds majority required for final approval. A floor vote could happen as soon as next week.
Sweden and Finland formally applied to join the transatlantic alliance in June, a decision spurred by Russia’s war on Ukraine. But Türkiye, a longstanding member of the alliance, voiced objections to the membership bids, criticizing the countries for tolerating and even supporting terror groups.
A trilateral agreement signed between the countries in June stipulates that Finland and Sweden will not provide support to the YPG/PYD, the PKK’s Syrian offshoot, nor FETO, and said Ankara extends full support to Finland and Sweden against threats to their national security.
All 30 standing NATO allies need to approve any expansion.