US Senate approves Sweden, Finland’s bid for NATO membership

The US Senate on Wednesday ratified the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO, as the duo requested for alliance membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. 

The Senate voted 95 to one in favor of the two Nordic states’ accession, making the United States the 23rd of the 30 NATO countries to formally endorse it so far. 

Per the NATO list, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary,  Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey have yet to formally agree to their entry.

However, actually,only Turkey has posed a challenge, demanding certain concessions from Finland and Sweden to support their memberships.

Ankara has demanded the extradition of dozens of government opponents it labels “terrorists” from both states in exchange for its backing.