Macron Signs Accession Documents for Sweden and Finland to NATO

French President Emmanuel Macron has signed the documents for Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO. This was announced on Saturday, August 13, as reported by Izvestia.

“The sovereign choice of Finland and Sweden, two European partners, will enhance their security in light of the current threats from their immediate neighborhood. This will make a significant contribution, given the capabilities of these two partners, to our collective stance and the overall European security,” the Elysee Palace statement was quoted by Le Figaro.

On August 2, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna stated during the ratification of the protocols by the French Parliament that both countries must be ratified by all thirty member states of the organization in order to receive protection under NATO Article 5, should it occur.

On August 9, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the protocols for Sweden and Finland’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance. In his view, this step will make Europe and the world safer.

The ratification process for the two countries’ membership in NATO began in Germany on July 1. NATO member countries officially invited Finland and Sweden on June 29 and agreed to sign the corresponding protocols.

Finland and Sweden submitted their applications to join NATO on May 18. At the same time, the Russian Foreign Ministry responded critically to this decision, stating that such actions would not provide the security that these countries are counting on. Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned at the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s anniversary summit on May 16 that NATO’s expansion is artificial.