Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

August 9, 2022

The President. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please.

[*At this point, the President paused as the recording of "Hail to the Chief" concluded.*] It's never played that long. [*Laughter*]

Well, thank you all very much, and good afternoon. Vice President Harris and First Gentlemanâwell, actually the Second Gentleman, but you're really my First Gentleman. [*Laughter*] And Ambassadors, Members of Congress: Thank you all for being here today. I think it's a pretty big day.

Just a few months ago, I welcomed President NiinistÃ¶ of Finland and the Prime Minister Andersson of Sweden to the White House to demonstrate the strong support the United States had for Finland and Sweden's decision to apply for membership in NATO.

And two proud and independent countries, each with a long traditionâa long traditionâof nonalignment, exercising their sovereign right to make their own decisions about their own security. And responding to the will of their citizens, following the democratic processes they have, choosing to join NATO.

It was and is a watershed moment, I believe, in the alliance and for the greater security and stability not only of Europe and the United States, but of the world.

And today we take another important step toward bringing Sweden and Finland into NATO. In just a few minutes, I'm going to sign the U.S. instrument of ratification, making the United States the 23d ally to approve Sweden and Finland's membership to the strongest, most powerful defensive alliance in the history of the world.

I've just gotten off the phone with both the President and the Prime Ministerâthey send their bestâ[*laughter*]âand to offer my congratulations on the enormous progress thus far. Together, we committed that the United States, Finland, and Sweden would continue to remain vigilant against any threats to our shared security and deter any confrontation and confront any aggression or threat of aggression that might come up. And I urge the remaining allies to complete their own ratification progress as quickly as possible.

For more than seven decades, a strong, united NATO has been the foundation of Americans' security, not just in Europe but, quite frankly, the basis of our security around the world. It's how we've led the world together with those nations that share our vision and, even more importantly, our values.

It's critical now to deter threats before they harm our people, our allies, and our interests. You know, it's how we address instability and aggression, with allies at our side, amplifyingâ amplifyingâthe capacity to respond effectively.

Sweden and Finland have strong democratic institutions, strong militaries, and strong and transparent economies. They'll meet every NATO requirement; we're confident of that. And we will makeâand make our alliance stronger, and will make America and the American people safer in the process. That's why the United States Senate gave their advice and consent to Sweden and Finland's membership with overwhelming support: 95 votes in favor, nearâa near-record pace.

This year, we're celebrating significant bipartisan steps that are going to make our country stronger and enhance our ability to lead the world. We're showing the world the United States of America can still do big things.

This nearly unanimous bipartisan ratification sends another important message: The United States is committedâthe United States is committedâto the transatlantic alliance.

Together with our allies and partners, we're going to write the future we want to seeâthe future we want to see. And in a moment when Putin's Russia has shattered peace and security in Europe, when autocrats are challenging the very foundations of a rule-based order, the strength of the transatlantic alliance and America's commitment to NATO is more important than it has ever been.

That's why, in June, in Madrid, at a pivotal NATO summit, all 30 nations came together to invite Finland and Sweden to apply. It was a display of allied unity, allied strength, and alliedâ resolve, proof that NATO's door remains open to countries in Europe that share our values and that meet the high standards of our alliance.

In seeking to join NATO, Finland and Sweden are making a sacred commitment that an attack against one is an attack against all. It's article 5 of the Washington Treaty and the core, the very core of our alliance. And our allies committed to article 5, and it's stronger than ever, that commitment.

The only time in history article 5 has been invoked was on 9/11, when the United States was attacked and all our allies rallied to our side. The United States will never forget that, and we will never fail in our pledge to defend every, every, every inch of NATO.

That's why, together with our allies, we're taking steps to reinforce NATO's eastern flank and strengthen our deterrence against any threats of aggression toward the alliance. You know, and we're going to be better able to meet the new challenges of a changed European security environment with two strong, reliable, highly capable, new allies in the High North.

You know, NATO was formed out of the wreckage of World War II, as we all know. Where warâyou know, it hadâlook, just be straight about it: Wars have repeatedly riven the continent, engulfed the world in conflicts, and there's no way to avoid that if we're not together. NATO laid a new foundation for lasting peace and security. And through more than seven decades that followed, NATO has proved the indispensable alliance, committed to a Europe whole, free, and at peace.

Today, we see all too clearly how NATO remains an indispensable alliance for the world of today and the world of tomorrow. Our alliance is closer than ever. It is more united than ever.

And when Finland and Sweden bring the number of allies to 32, we'll be stronger than everâ stronger than ever. And this will benefit all our peopleâall of our people.

Now I'm going to go over to that table over there and sign the U.S. instruments of ratification communicating the support of the United States for Finland and Sweden's membership in NATO.

[*The President signed the instruments of ratification.*]

NOTE: The President spoke at 2:19 p.m. in the East Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Douglas C. Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala D. Harris; Finland's Ambassador to the U.S. Mikko Hautala; Sweden's Ambassador to the U.S. Karin Olofsdotter; and President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia.

Categories: Addresses and Remarks : Finland and Sweden, accession protocols to North Atlantic Treaty, signing instruments of ratification.

Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Andersson, Magdalena; Harris, Kamala D.; Hautala, Mikko; NiinistÃ¶, Sauli; Olofsdotter, Karin; Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich.

Subjects: Congress : Bipartisanship; Finland : Ambassador to U.S.; Finland : North Atlantic Treaty Organization, accession bid; Finland : President; Foreign policy, U.S. : Peace efforts, expansion; North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Russia : President; Russia : Ukraine, airstrikes and invasion; Sweden : Ambassador to U.S.; Sweden : North Atlantic Treaty Organization, accession bid; Sweden : Prime Minister; Terrorism : September 11, 2001, attacks; Ukraine : Russian airstrikes and invasion; White House Office : Vice President.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200703.