{O/C} U.S. President Joe Biden today expressed his unbending support for Finland's and Sweden's NATO membership applications as Turkey remains concerned.
{Take SOT}
{Soundbite} JOE BIDEN, U.S. President: Today, I am proud to welcome and offer the strong support of the United States for the applications of two great democracies to join the strongest, most powerful defensive alliance in the history of the world.
{VO}
The American President's unreserved support for incorporating both Finland and Sweden into NATO indicates the trans-Atlantic alliance is on track to go from strength to strength.
In addition to that powerful show of support, Biden also brushed aside Turkish worries.
{Soundbite} New members joining NATO is not a threat to any nation. It never has been. NATO's purpose is to defend against aggression.
{VO}
Biden also made clear America's commitment to "deter and confront any aggression" alongside its allies.
With the Rubicon already crossed in Ukraine, acceptance of the nations would constitute yet another stiff response to Russia's ongoing invasion.
Both the Finnish and Swedish leader used the horrific backdrop of the war to illustrate the importance of an impeccable defensive alliance.
{Soundbite} SAULI NIINISTO, Finnish President: Finland takes the step of NATO membership in order to strengthen not only its own security but also in order to strengthen wider trans-Atlantic security.
{Soundbite} MAGDALENA ANDERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister: Peace and stability in our part of the world is a common security interest for us, for you and for the rest of Europe. And we stand here today more united than ever, and we are committed to strengthening our bonds even further.
{Upsound 01:44 - 01:45}
{VO}
When push comes to shove, Biden is dogged in cementing America's rapport with Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan.
He'll be touring a Samsung computer chip plant later today as the focal point will be America's tech sector amid the COVID-induced computer chip shortage.
He is also due to meet with South Korea's newly-installed president, Yoon Suk-Yeol on Saturday in the midst of the intensifying fighting talk from North Korea as well as Russia's protracted Ukraine invasion.
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