The protocol means Finland and Sweden can join in NATO meetings and have greater access to intelligence, but will not be protected by an alliance defense clause - that an attack on one ally is an attack against all - until ratification, The Guardian reports.
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NATO’S secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said at the signing at NATO headquarters alongside the Finnish and Swedish foreign ministers:
This is truly an historic moment. With 32 nations around the table, we will be even stronger.
He urged allies to swiftly ratify and assured the two Nordic countries of NATO’s support in the meantime.
Sweden’s foreign minister, Ann Linde, thanked NATO for its support and said she was looking forward to working together “in ensuring our collective security”.
Russia has repeatedly warned both countries against joining NATO, and in March threatened “serious military and political consequences” should Finland and Sweden join the alliance.
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