US aims to complete Sweden, Finland NATO accession by July

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said that Washington is continuing to strengthen and broaden NATO’s partnerships and weave them together in new ways. 

"We’re very focused on the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO.  These countries are ready to bring their strengths to bear on our Alliance," Blinken said in a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on February 8, the State Department's press service reports.

"They’re capable, they’re trusted partners and they’re strong democracies that are dedicated to the values that underpin the Alliance.  We’ll continue to push for the completion of this process as we head towards the Vilnius Summit in July."