The White House announced on Tuesday that US Vice President Joe Biden would welcome Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto to discuss their bid to join NATO.

During the Thursday meeting, "the leaders will discuss Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO applications and European security, as well as strengthening our close partnerships across a range of global issues and support for Ukraine," according to the statement.

The Swedish government signed a formal request to join NATO on Tuesday, while the Finnish parliament is set to vote on the country's NATO membership application later in the day.

For any new member to join NATO, all of its members, including Turkey, must agree unanimously.

Turkiye, a longstanding NATO member, has criticized Finland and Sweden for tolerating and even assisting terrorist organizations such as the YPG/PKK in their membership applications.