Finland and Sweden have long kept a careful balance — and neutral position — between the West and Russia. But that changed after Moscow invaded Ukraine.
Biden said Thursday he was sending paperwork to Congress to ratify Finland and Sweden's application to join NATO. The ratification process is expected to pass with bipartisan support.
President Biden is traveling to Japan and South Korea this week — his first trip to Asia since taking office. Like presidents before him, he's seeking to reorient U.S. foreign policy toward Asia.
Finland changed its policy toward the military alliance after troops invaded Ukraine. Sweden has avoided all military alliances, but like Finland, has also grown closer and closer to NATO over time.