The US Senate voted to pass a resolution ratifying Sweden and Finland's NATO membership, CNN reports..

Historic 95-yes vote aims to strengthen defense bloc amid Russia's war in Ukraine. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri voted no..

At the end of June, NATO formalized its invitation to Sweden and Finland to join the alliance, so the decision was sent to the parliaments and legislatures of 30 member states for final ratification.. President Joe Biden submitted protocols for Senate ratification in July.

When the document was adopted, the ambassadors of Finland and Sweden were present in the hall.

“Our NATO alliance has been the backbone that has guaranteed democracy in the Western world since the end of World War II.. This further strengthens NATO and is especially needed in light of the recent Russian aggression,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during a speech in the Senate.

After the Senate approves the accession protocols for Sweden and Finland to NATO, the next step in the process is for the President to sign this document.. It will then be sent to the NATO Treaty Depository for storage..

US President Joe Biden welcomed the decision of the US Senate to support the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO and expressed his readiness to sign the necessary documents as soon as possible.

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Sweden and Finland announced their intention to join NATO in May after the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted a sudden change in attitude towards joining the bloc.

On June 29, NATO formally began the process of admitting Sweden and Finland.

On July 5, the accession protocols were signed.