China News Agency, Washington, May 18 (Reporter Chen Mengtong) The ambassadors of Finland and Sweden to NATO submitted their applications to NATO to NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg in Brussels on the 18th.

Regarding the two countries' accession to NATO, the US government released its support position from different channels such as the White House, the State Department and the Pentagon on the 18th, and was optimistic about the "joining" process of the two countries.

  According to relevant regulations, NATO must "unanimously agree" with the 30 member states, including Turkey, before it can absorb new members.

However, the Turkish side has emphasized many times recently that Finland and Sweden must stop supporting the PKK and others when seeking to join NATO, and lift restrictions on the Turkish side's export of defense equipment.

  Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs of the United States, told a White House press conference on the 18th that Finnish President Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Andersson will visit the White House on the 19th for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Sullivan said the expansion of NATO would be a "watershed" for European security.

The US believes that the process of joining NATO by Finland and Sweden will eventually be "fruitful and efficient", and Turkey's concerns can also be addressed.

  While the White House released the above news, US Secretary of State Blinken met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Before the meeting, Blinken said that Finland and Sweden need certain procedures to join NATO, and the United States will assist in completing the corresponding procedures as an ally and partner.

  Cavusoglu said, "We understand their security concerns, but Turkey's security concerns should also be met. This is also one of the issues that we should continue to discuss with our allies, including the United States."

  Earlier on the 18th, Swedish Defense Minister Hultquist visited the Pentagon and held a meeting with US Defense Secretary Austin.

The latter said that the United States "strongly supports" Sweden's application to join NATO.

Hultquist said that joining NATO will benefit the Swedish military's training and joint military operations.

  Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 16th that Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO does not pose a direct threat to Russia, but the expansion of NATO's military infrastructure on the territory of the two countries will inevitably lead to a response from Russia.

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