The US Senate ratified the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO Wednesday, strongly backing the expansion of the transatlantic alliance in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Senate voted 95 to 1 in favor of the two Nordic countries' accession, making the United States the 23rd of the 30 NATO countries to formally endorse it so far, after Italy approved it earlier Wednesday and France on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden hailed the Senate's quick ratification process -- the fastest since 1981.

"This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan US commitment to NATO, and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow," Biden said in a statement.

The sole opponent was Republican Josh Hawley, who agreed that the United States should focus on protecting its homeland, but that Washington should concentrate on the challenge from China rather than Europe.

One senator, Republican Rand Paul, voted "present" rather than endorsing or opposing the motion.

Senate leader Chuck Schumer said it was a signal of Western unity after Moscow launched a war on Ukraine on February 24.

"This is important substantively and as a signal to Russia: they cannot intimidate America or Europe," Schumer said.

"Putin has tried to use his war in Ukraine to divide the West. Instead, today's vote shows our alliance is stronger than ever," he said.

All 30 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must agree if Finland and Sweden, officially non-aligned but longtime adjunct partners of the alliance, are admitted.

According to a NATO list, seven member countries have yet to formally agree to the new double-entry: the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey.

Only Turkey has raised a challenge, demanding certain concessions from Finland and Sweden to back their memberships.

Ankara has demanded the extradition of dozens of government opponents it labels "terrorists" from both countries in exchange for its support.

Turkey said on July 21 that a special committee would meet Finnish and Swedish officials in August to assess if the two nations are complying with its conditions.

Finland seizes goods with military use on Russian border
Helsinki (AFP) Aug 3, 2022 - Finland's customs service said Wednesday it had caught several travellers carrying drones and other sanctioned goods across the border with Russia that could boost Moscow's "industrial and military capabilities".

The seizures came as Finland debates restrictions on Russian visas following Moscow's February 24 invasion of Ukraine that led to swingeing Western sanctions.

More than 2,500 checks were carried out between July 22 and 27 and around 100 such cases emerged, the customs service said.

"Currently, approximately 20 cases related to passenger traffic are under preliminary examination," a statement said, adding that searches revealed various EU-sanctioned luxury products as well as goods that could have military applications, "such as tools used in maritime traffic."

"There have also been drones as well as such items that we cannot comment on at this moment," Enforcement Director Mikko Gronberg told AFP.

The increasing number of Russian tourists in Finland has spurred discontent as many think tourism should be restricted due to the war in Ukraine.

Finland's conservative opposition party last week proposed a halt to new tourist visas for Russians.

President Sauli Niinisto is due to discuss the issue with the government on Thursday and the proposal appears to have wide backing in parliament.

"Personally, I think restrictions should be increased," Aki Linden from the ruling Social Democrats, who is acting prime minister while Sanna Marin is on holiday, told AFP.

Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia "would react very negatively" if there was a curb on Russian visas.

After Russia lifted Covid travel restrictions on July 15, the number of Russian tourists heading to Finland has steadily increased.

Although the numbers are still below pre-Covid levels, there have been more than 185,000 border crossings in July -- up from the 125,000 in June.

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