Thursday at the White House, Vice President Joe Biden met with the presidents of Finland and Sweden to give strong support for their bids to join NATO. At the same time, Turkey threatened to obstruct the Nordic nations from entering the organization.

Mr. Biden told Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in the Rose Garden of the White House, "Finland and Sweden make NATO stronger."

Mr. Biden stated that his administration submitted papers to the United States Congress for swift approval once NATO members gave the two nations the go-ahead.

"They meet every NATO requirement and then some," he explained.

The addition of two new NATO members in the high north will strengthen our alliance's security and broaden our security cooperation.

Thursday, the US Senate authorized about $US40 billion ($56.6 billion) in additional funding for Ukraine, the most extensive US aid package to date for Ukraine.

Mr. Biden stated that the bill's passing ensured Ukraine would continue to receive US funding.