Biden heralds 75th anniversary of NATO’s founding

President Joe Biden welcomed NATO's 75th anniversary Thursday, as the security alliance hosted new member Sweden for the first time at a major meeting — and as Ukraine eagerly hopes for an invitation to join the group at an upcoming Washington summit.

In a statement, Biden welcomed the recent addition of new members Finland and Sweden, saying "we must choose to protect this progress and build on it."

"This is the greatest military alliance in the history of the world," Biden said. "But it didn't happen by accident, nor was it inevitable. Generation after generation, the United States and our fellow Allies have chosen to come together to stand up for freedom and push back against aggression — knowing we are stronger, and the world is safer, when we do."

Biden's Democratic allies agreed.