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Added on the 24/01/2023 19:18:18 - Copyright : Euronews EN
Sweden joining NATO shows Russian President Vladimir Putin "failed" in his Ukrainian war strategy of weakening the alliance, its chief Jens Stoltenberg says. The Kremlin's invasion not only prompted formerly non-aligned nations Sweden and Finland to come under NATO's defence umbrella, but now "Ukraine is closer to NATO membership than ever before," Stoltenberg adds. SOUNDBITE
Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson says the "northern flank of NATO is more complete" as he holds a press conference with his Norwegian and Finnish counterparts in Troms, Norway. Swedish troops are taking part in a vast NATO military exercise to simulate repelling an invasion of neighbouring Norway. SOUNDBITE
"NATO becomes stronger, Finland becomes safer" says NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as Finland becomes the newest memeber of the military alliance. SOUNDBITE
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcome Turkey's decision to push ahead with ratifying Finland's membership, and says Sweden should also be allowed to join as soon as possible. "The most important thing is that both Finland and Sweden become full members of NATO quickly, not whether they join at exactly the same time," Stoltenberg said. SOUNDBITE
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says "the time has come to ratify both Finland and Sweden and to make them full members of our alliance " during a press conference in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. SOUNDBITE
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Sweden and Finland are committed to working with Turkey to address its concerns over their possible membership in the alliance, saying it was time to welcome them. "It's time to welcome Finland and Sweden as members of NATO," he tells a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Istanbul. SOUNDBITE