News - Middle East: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he is "very confident" that NATO would reach a consensus on admitting Sweden and Finland to the alliance, despite Turkey's concerns and Russia's warnings against the pair's entry into the US-led military alliance.

After a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin on Sunday, Blinken told reporters that Washington "would strongly support the NATO application by either Sweden or Finland should they choose to formally apply to the alliance."

He said he heard "almost across-the-board very strong support" for the NATO bids.
"I'm very confident that we will reach consensus," he added.

He made the remarks as Finland officially announced its intention to join the NATO alliance on Sunday.

The decision still needs to be ratified by Finland’s Parliament — but that is considered largely a formality.

In Sweden, the governing Social Democrats said they backed joining the alliance, paving the way for the country to apply.

Aspiring NATO bids, however, require unanimous approval from existing members to join the alliance.

But Turkey, a NATO ally, has expressed concern over its entry into the alliance.