US President Joe Biden said that the US would work with Finland and Sweden to keep vigilant against any threats to their common security.

The two nations’ NATO membership is being examined.

Mr. Biden said in a statement that he firmly supports Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership bids.

It would “further deepen our defense cooperation and benefit the broader Transatlantic Alliance.”

In a “historic moment” spurred by security worries over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the two countries have now formally filed their applications to join NATO.

The applications will now be examined by the military alliance’s 30 member countries.

This process will take a few weeks.