Senate ratifies Sweden, Finland bids to join NATO amid Russia's war on Ukraine

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday officially approved efforts by Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in a rebuke to Russia amid its war on Ukraine. 

The resolution passed 95-1 with Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., as the only dissenting vote and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voting "present." The Senate needed two-thirds of the body to vote in favor of ratification, and it will now head to President Biden to submit to NATO.

Sweden and Norway's efforts to join NATO come as the West quickly united earlier this year in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two Scandinavian countries joining NATO — with Finland sharing more than 800 miles of border with Russia — will be the most significant expansion of NATO since at least 2004. 

NATO officials formally approved the two nations' efforts to join the alliance last month. They are currently in the final stage of the process of joining NATO, which requires legislatures in all of its member nations to approve of the new additions.