NATO Formally Invited Sweden and Finland to Join the Alliance

NATO countries have formalized their invitation to Finland and Sweden to join the alliance. After Turkey dropped its objections to their membership, the group approved the application of the two Nordic countries to join the bloc.

"The accession of Finland and Sweden will make them safer, NATO stronger, and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure. The security of Finland and Sweden is of direct importance to the Alliance, including during the accession process," NATO leaders said in a statement.