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Added on the 15/05/2022 16:17:35 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
Turkey signs a memorandum with Finland and Sweden supporting the invitation for the two Nordic countries to become members of NATO. IMAGES
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he expects European allies to keep up strong support for NATO despite a far-right victory in the first round of French elections. 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
Sweden becomes the 32nd member of NATO with the handover of documents at a ceremony in Washington, turning the page on two centuries of non-alignment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Good things come to those who wait," Secretary of State Antony Blinken says as he accepts the accession documents from Sweden's prime minister, following ratification by the 31 other alliance members. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that Washington and its allies remain and must remain steadfast in their backing for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. "The answer here today at NATO is clear and it's unwavering. We must and we will continue to support Ukraine," Blinken says a meeting of the Western military alliance. There are fears that a lack of adequate support from the West could end up forcing Kyiv to seek a compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin from a position of weakness. SOUNDBITE