- Title: Blinken meets Swedish FM amid possible NATO membership
- Date: 4th May 2022
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MAY 4, 2022) (STATE TV) UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE ANTHONY BLINKEN AND SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER ANN LINDE ENTERING BEN FRANKLIN ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE, ANTHONY BLINKEN, SAYING: "Let me say this is a particularly important time for the long standing and strong and vital partnership between the United States and Sweden. We are working together across so many different issues that have an impact on the lives of our people, starting with Euro-Atlantic security, but going through everything from standing together strongly for democracy, for human rights, for humanitarian assistance, not only in Europe, but around the world." (WHITE FLASH) (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE, ANTHONY BLINKEN, SAYING: "As well for its strong partnership, particularly in support of Ukraine and opposition to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. We both believe strongly that we need to, and we are, standing up for the people of Ukraine but also standing together, standing up for the principles of the international order that are also being aggressed by Russia in Ukraine." (SOUNDBITE) (English) SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER, ANN LINDE, SAYING: "It is actually a horrendous time with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has made all of us to consider what is the most secure situation for our countries and our peoples. And this is something we will discuss." (WHITE FLASH) (SOUNDBITE) (English) SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER, ANN LINDE, SAYING: "Also, thank you for the initiative when it comes to sanctions against Russia because of the invasion of Ukraine, and (for )being able to keep so close (relation) from Sweden, from EU, together with US. The trans Atlantic link maybe has never been so important as it is now." BLINKEN AND LINDE LEAVING THE ROOM
- Embargoed: 18th May 2022 16:23
- Keywords: Blinken Linde NATO Russia Ukraine war
- Location: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
- City: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics,United States
- Reuters ID: LVA001576904052022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: CONTAINS WHITE FLASHES
AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde on Wednesday (May 4) as the European country considers possible NATO membership.
"This is a particularly important time for the long standing and strong and vital partnership between the United States and Sweden," Blinken said.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted Helsinki and Stockholm to consider joining NATO., although long-neutral Sweden is more hesitant than Finland which has a 1,300 km border with Russia.
As non-members, Finland and Sweden’s combined population of 16 million don’t have the protection of NATO’s guarantee that an attack on one ally is an attack on all.
Since the invasion began on February 24, public opinion polls commissioned by Finnish media outlets have shown a swift U-turn with the majority of Finns now favoring joining NATO.
Sweden –a country which has not fought in a war since 1814 – is more hesitant. But a recent opinion poll for a major Swedish TV station found 59% of Swedes wanted to join NATO, if Finland does.
Russia, with which Finland shares a 1,300-km (800-mile) border, has said it will deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles in its Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad if Finland and Sweden decide to join NATO.
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