NATO allies formally back bids by Sweden, FinlandBloombergNATO leaders yesterday formally invited Sweden and Finland to join the military alliance, paving the way for reshaping European defense by lengthening the alliance’s border with Russia. “The accession of Finland and Sweden will make them safer, NATO stronger and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure,” according to summit conclusions agreed by NATO leaders in Madrid after weeks of stalling by Turkey. The path to membership includes the need for ratification from NATO members’ parliaments. Photo: ReutersThe leaders welcomed a memorandum agreed by Turkey, Sweden and Finland late on Tuesday that led to Ankara lifting its block on the countries’ bids to join. In a new Strategic Concept document setting out long-term strategic guidelines, the leaders highlighted ties between China and Russia.
