WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — President Joe Biden will host Sweden's prime minister at the White House on July 5, in a show of solidarity as the U.S. presses for the Nordic nation's entry into NATO, a bid stalled by objections from two members of the Western military alliance.

Biden and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson plan to review “growing security cooperation and reaffirm their view that Sweden should join NATO as soon as possible,” the White House said Saturday. The leaders also plan to discuss the war in Ukraine, and China.

Sweden and neighbor Finland dropped their long-standing military neutrality after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and applied for NATO membership, seeking protection under the organization's security umbrella. Finland joined NATO in April. Sweden’s acceptance has been delayed by Turkey and Hungary. NATO requires unanimous approval of all members to expand.

NATO had hoped the road to Sweden's membership would be cleared prior to the alliance's summit July 11-12 in Lithuania.

Copyright 2023 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.