US President Joe Biden has approved Finland and Sweden’s applications to join NATO, saying the alliance’s new members will make it as strong as it’s ever been while vowing to challenge Russia and “autocrats” who threaten the “rules based order.”

Speaking moments before signing the US instrument of ratification for the Nordic states’ NATO membership on Tuesday, Biden hailed the US-led military collective, claiming it had kept Americans safe and served as “the basis of our security around the world.”

“Our alliance is closer than ever.  It is more united than ever.  And when Finland and Sweden bring the number of allies to 32, we’ll be stronger than ever,” the president said, adding that the two countries “have strong democratic institutions, strong militaries and strong and transparent economies” and will “meet every NATO requirement.”

Biden condemned Russia directly in his remarks on Tuesday, claiming President Vladimir Putin had “shattered peace and security in Europe.” He added that Washington’s commitment to NATO is “more important than it has ever been” at a time when “autocrats are challenging the very foundations of a rules based order,” apparently referring to Moscow’s military action. 

Though Moscow has long aired concerns about the eastward expansion of NATO – Finland shares an 800-mile border with Russia – President Putin has stated that Russia “has no problems” with either country, and does not see their membership as an “immediate threat.”