STORY: The US agreed on Wednesday to admit Sweden and Finland to NATO. The US Senate approved the ratification of the accession documents with 95 votes, only one vote was against. The result far exceeded the required two-thirds majority of 67 votes. US President Joe Biden said this historic vote was an important signal of America’s continued, bipartisan commitment to NATO and that the alliance was prepared for the challenges of the day. Sweden and Finland applied to join the alliance in response to Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly warned both countries against this step. Only after the ratification of all NATO member states are the two countries protected by the defense clause. However, this process could take up to a year.