A talk in New York between US Secretary of State Blinken and his Turkish counterpart Cavusoglu has not yet led to a breakthrough over Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership applications. Turkey is still a problem.
Turkey objects, among other things, because the two countries offer shelter to Kurdish “terrorists” and who do not extradite Kurds. These include Gülenists, who are protected against political persecution in the northern countries, but are seen as a threat to the state in Turkey. Western support for Kurdish fighters in northern Syria is also a thorn in Ankara’s side.
The chance that Finland and Sweden will comply with the requirement to extradite people is estimated to be minimal. However, a concession may be possible when it comes to arms restrictions that western countries have imposed after the Turkish invasion of northern Syria in 2019.
US correspondent Lucas Waagmeester says that it is assumed in Washington that Turkey will eventually relent. “Recently, President Erdogan has been trying to reconnect with countries in Europe and the US. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, it seems that he wants to act as a reliable ally again. Now, then, obstructing this process would really deviate from that broader strategic goal of regaining acceptance within NATO.”
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