Ante Kaikonne and Peter Holtachette, the Finnish and Swedish defence secretaries, spoke with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about the impact of the bombings on the “Nord Stream” pipeline as well as the NATO membership of their respective nations.
“The officials again emphasized the strength of the tripartite relationship, which was strengthened by the continuation of the process of joining Finland and Sweden to NATO,” Pentagon spokesman, General Bat Ryder – said in a statement today.
The leaders talked about important global security issues, including the recent Russian escalation in Ukraine, reaffirming their unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty. They also talked about the effects of the Nord Stream pipeline explosions and the need for steadfastness, as well as other security concerns in northern Europe and the North Pole.
“Austin reviewed with his colleagues the progress made toward Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO membership, and the three ministers thanked all the nations that have previously accepted the NATO membership protocols,” he continued.
The US Secretary of Defense discusses NATO membership with his counterparts in Finland and Sweden.
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