The U.S. Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution approving Finland and Sweden's request to join the NATO, a pivotal step toward expanding the 30-member transatlantic military alliance.

The bipartisan show of support for Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO is a direct response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an act of aggression that has alarmed U.S. and European officials. The vote was 95-1.

Finland and Sweden's bid to join NATO will need to win approval from all other NATO countries, a process that could take months and that, when completed, would grant Article Five protection to the two historically neutral countries.  

In the meantime, the countries are considered NATO partners and have been participating in military exercises with the U.S. and other NATO nations.