U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sweden and Finland joining NATO would be a victory for democracy, as their citizens “demanded it.”

He said that “anyone who wonders the difference between democracy and authoritarian states like Russia,” need only look at Russia, Finland and Sweden.

“One would lie to its people to wage a war, two would listen to their people to prevent war,” Blinken said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he is in contact with Finland, Sweden and Turkey. Delegations from those countries will convene in Brussels soon.

He said he is “confident” the alliance will overcome the concerns from Turkey and move forward with these two applications. Stoltenberg added that all allies can agree that NATO enlargement has been a “great success” in spreading freedom and democracy across Europe.

“President Putin wanted less NATO,” Stoltenberg said. “He is getting more NATO; more troops and more NATO members.”

Blinken said the U.S. will continue to support these efforts to address concerns of allies and proceed with Finland and Sweden’s applications.