President Biden met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Wednesday to express support for Sweden’s bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The meeting took place ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Lithuania, where leaders will discuss important issues and decisions.
Sweden’s attempt to join NATO has faced opposition from Turkey and Hungary, leading to a blockage of its membership. However, President Biden made it clear that the United States fully supports Sweden’s inclusion in the alliance, emphasizing that Sweden is a capable and committed partner that will strengthen NATO.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Kristersson highlighted the shared priorities between Sweden and the United States, particularly in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He expressed his appreciation for the U.S. support for Sweden’s NATO bid and emphasized that Sweden has contributions to make to the alliance.
Both Sweden and Finland, two countries that have traditionally prided themselves on neutrality, announced their intentions to seek NATO membership in May 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. So far, only Finland has been admitted to NATO, largely due to Turkey’s resistance to Sweden’s inclusion. All NATO members must support the addition of a new country to the alliance.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used Sweden’s bid to challenge the country, citing Sweden’s granting of asylum to members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey considers a terrorist group. Protests against Erdogan in Sweden have further strained relations between the two countries.
At last year’s summit, Erdogan reached a deal with Finland and Sweden, agreeing to support both bids if certain conditions were met. While officials have confirmed that both countries fulfilled those conditions, only Finland moved forward and joined NATO in April of this year.
Despite Sweden’s efforts to address Turkey’s concerns by strengthening its anti-terrorism laws, Erdogan maintains that Sweden has not done enough to combat the PKK. He reiterated his opposition to Sweden’s membership, suggesting that the impasse may not be resolved before the upcoming summit.
President Biden’s meeting with Prime Minister Kristersson sends a significant signal to Turkey that the United States stands by Sweden. However, it remains to be seen whether the White House’s last-ditch efforts can change the current situation.
Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has also delayed a vote on Sweden’s membership bid, causing frustration for the United States. Orban has accused Swedish leaders of lying about Hungary’s democracy and has made demands of Sweden.
Resolving the deadlock over Sweden’s membership is crucial for President Biden and NATO as a whole. The president cited Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO as evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin miscalculated when he launched the war in Ukraine.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed confidence that Sweden will eventually be admitted into NATO and urged Turkey and Hungary to approve Sweden’s application as soon as possible. She emphasized that Sweden has fulfilled the commitments made in the deal with Turkey and Finland last year and highlighted Sweden’s strong defense capabilities and shared values with NATO.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who will meet with senior officials from Turkey, Sweden, and Finland, stated that the time is now to welcome Sweden as a full member of NATO.
The outcome of next week’s NATO summit will determine whether Sweden’s bid for membership can progress, and it remains to be seen if President Biden’s support can influence the situation.
What specific contributions can Sweden offer to the alliance if it is admitted to NATO
Wednesday, President Biden and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson met to discuss Sweden’s bid to join NATO. The meeting came ahead of the NATO summit in Lithuania next week, where important issues will be discussed.
Despite facing opposition from Turkey and Hungary, President Biden expressed his full support for Sweden’s inclusion in NATO. He emphasized Sweden’s capability and commitment to strengthening the alliance.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Kristersson highlighted the shared priorities between Sweden and the United States, particularly in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He appreciated the U.S. support for Sweden’s NATO bid and stressed that Sweden has valuable contributions to make to the alliance.
Both Sweden and Finland, traditionally neutral countries, announced their intentions to seek NATO membership in May 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland has been admitted to NATO so far, while Sweden’s inclusion has been blocked primarily due to Turkey’s resistance. All NATO members must support a new country’s addition to the alliance.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has challenged Sweden’s bid, linking it to Sweden granting asylum to members of the PKK, a group that Turkey considers a terrorist organization. Protests against Erdogan in Sweden have further strained relations between the two countries.
At last year’s summit, Erdogan reached a deal with Finland and Sweden, agreeing to support both bids if certain conditions were met. While officials have confirmed that both countries fulfilled those conditions, Sweden’s inclusion remains blocked.
I am glad to see President Biden’s strong endorsement of Sweden’s NATO membership despite objections. Strengthening alliances and collaborations is crucial in today’s global landscape, and Sweden’s inclusion would be beneficial for both parties involved.
President Biden’s firm endorsement of Sweden’s NATO membership, despite objections, is a testament to the significance of their strategic partnership. This serves as a strong message of solidarity and commitment to ensure regional security and stability.