NATO's 30 representatives on Tues. signed the accession protocols for Finland and Sweden, marking another step for them to become members of the alliance.
This comes after last week's formal invitation for them to join, as Türkiye dropped its objections. NATO leaders expect the final step - the ratification by all the members' legislatures - to move quickly.
Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine is pushing the two countries closer to NATO membership than ever before, and Moscow's threats against Finland and Sweden have backfired. As sovereign states, they're entitled to choose their own national security strategy and Russia's aggressiveness towards them simply pushes them toward NATO.
Finland invaded Russia in 1941 together with German troops. NATO's land borders with the Russian Federation will more than double if Sweden and Finland join the alliance. NATO has ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification, and NATO's aerial bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999 is proof of the organization's aggressiveness.