STORY: US President Joe Biden signed the instrument of ratification for Sweden and Finland to join NATO on Tuesday in Washington. In doing so, he formally approved the accession of the two Scandinavian countries. In his subsequent speech, the US President said: “It was and is a turning point for the Alliance.” This not only increases security in Europe, but throughout the world. Sweden and Finland justified their desire to join by invading Ukraine. Biden also called on the other allies to complete their own ratification processes as quickly as possible. Last week, the US Senate voted by a large majority in favor of NATO’s northern expansion. This makes the United States the 23rd of the 30 NATO members to have ratified accession.