This week, a pro-NATO delegation of opposition leaders from Finland and Sweden visited Washington, DC, for meetings with the Biden administration and members of Congress.

The small delegation led by Petteri Orpo of Finland and Ulf Kristersson of Sweden met with Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Karen Donfried, Amanda Sloat of the National Security Council, a number of Capitol Hill staff, and think tanks such as the Atlantic Council and the German Marshall Fund.

Henri Vanhanen, Finland’s center-right party’s foreign policy adviser, said they wanted to send the message that Finland and Sweden are contributors to security.

They contribute something to the table, and that joining NATO will not be a burden because they already have a strong national defense, according to Vanhanen.

According to a Swedish official and Vanhanen, who noted that they are not in a position to negotiate with the US government, there was a common understanding in joint meetings at State and the NSC that “security guarantees” are only given to NATO members and that it is up to Sweden and Finland to decide whether or not to join.

There was, however, discussion on ways to improve general safety and security, particularly during the transition period between application and accession. According to a Swedish official acquainted with the matter, cyber concerns and larger exercises in the Baltics were discussed.

They both are willing to apply for the June NATO summit.

Vanhanen said joining the alliance is a question of “when,” not “if,” because Finland shares a border with Russia and has been at odds with them.

The US Senate must approve Sweden and Finland joining NATO by at least 2/3 vote.