U.S. ‘Fully’ Supports Sweden’s Bid to Join NATO, Biden Says
President Biden expressed his full support for Sweden’s bid to join NATO during an Oval Office meeting with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The two leaders emphasized the potential benefits of Sweden’s membership in strengthening the Western alliance against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. President Biden stated, “Sweden is going to make our alliance stronger, and has the same value set that we have in NATO. And I’m really looking forward to your membership.” Prime Minister Kristersson expressed his appreciation for the strong support and stated that Sweden seeks to be a security provider for the whole of NATO.
However, the inclusion of Sweden in NATO is still uncertain due to the opposition of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. Erdogan has blocked Sweden’s membership bid, citing concerns about Sweden harboring Kurdish exiles and refugees affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Turkey considers a terrorist group. This issue is critical for NATO, as it aims to avoid internal division, especially in the midst of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
While every other member of the NATO alliance has approved Sweden’s membership, Hungary has stated that it will sign off once Turkey does so. The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, confirmed that President Biden will continue to advocate for Sweden’s membership but ultimately, the decision lies with the 31 members of the alliance.
Efforts to resolve the issue and appease President Erdogan have been ongoing for months, but no progress has been made. President Biden has expressed his support for the sale of new F-16 fighter jets and upgrade kits to Turkey, a request that Erdogan has long sought. However, it remains unclear what else might convince Erdogan to change his position. He has demanded that Sweden extradite or expel individuals affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, and while Sweden has taken some action, many individuals named by Ankara remain in the country.
In the United States, both Democrats and Republicans agree that Turkey needs to allow Sweden to join NATO before any F-16 jet sales are considered. Key members of Congress, including Senator Bob Menendez, have stated that they would block an F-16 deal unless Erdogan makes way for Swedish membership. It is uncertain whether President Biden can convince them to change their position.
President Erdogan has remained steadfast in his opposition to Sweden’s admission, citing the fight against terrorist organizations and Islamophobia as Turkey’s red line. He has been opposed to Sweden’s membership bid since last spring when Sweden and Finland first applied together to join NATO. Finland has since been approved, becoming the 31st member of the alliance.
Recent events, such as the burning of Quran pages outside a Stockholm mosque, approved by Swedish authorities, could further complicate matters with predominantly Muslim Turkey. However, during a joint news conference in June, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated that Sweden had addressed Turkey’s concerns appropriately and effectively, expressing the expectation that Sweden’s membership would be approved by the time of the Vilnius Summit in July.
In conclusion, President Biden has reiterated his full support for Sweden’s NATO membership bid, but the opposition from President Erdogan of Turkey has stalled progress. The issue remains critical for NATO, and efforts to resolve the matter continue as the summit approaches.
What are the potential benefits of Sweden’s membership in NATO in countering Russian aggression in Ukraine, and how might it strengthen the Western alliance?
President Biden has expressed his full support for Sweden’s bid to join NATO, stating that it will strengthen the Western alliance and contribute to shared values. The potential benefits of Sweden’s membership, particularly in countering Russian aggression in Ukraine, were emphasized during a meeting with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in the Oval Office.
The inclusion of Sweden in NATO, however, faces opposition from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. Erdogan has blocked Sweden’s membership bid due to concerns about the country’s association with Kurdish exiles and refugees affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Turkey considers a terrorist group. This issue is crucial for NATO as it seeks to maintain unity amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Despite the opposition, every other NATO member has approved Sweden’s membership, with Hungary stating that it will support Sweden once Turkey does so. President Biden has pledged to continue advocating for Sweden’s membership, but ultimately, the decision lies with the 31 members of the alliance.
Efforts to resolve the issue and address President Erdogan’s concerns have been ongoing for some time, but progress has yet to be made. President Biden’s support for Sweden’s bid remains strong, and he recognizes the significance of Sweden’s potential contribution to NATO’s strength and shared values.
