Biden supports Sweden’s NATO bid, hosting prime minister at the White House

By AAMER MADHANI and CHRIS MEGERIAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has welcomed Sweden’s prime minister at the White House in a show of solidarity as the United States presses for the Nordic nation’s entry into NATO. This comes a week before the alliance’s summit. Biden said Wednesday it was “very important” for Sweden to join. The White House said Biden and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson would also discuss their growing security cooperation, Russia’s war in Ukraine and matters involving China. Sweden and neighbor Finland ended their longstanding policy of military nonalignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Both applied for NATO membership, but Sweden’s admission has been held up by Turkey and Hungary.