US President Biden Confident Sweden Will Join NATO, Despite Obstacles from Turkey and Hungary

Biden says Sweden will 'soon' join NATO at U.S. Air Force address
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US President Joe Biden expressed his confidence in Sweden's eventual accession to NATO, despite opposition from Turkey and Hungary.

While speaking at a graduation ceremony of United States Air Force Academy, Biden commended NATO's unity in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and emphasized the strengthened alliance with the recent addition of Finland, with Sweden soon to follow.

Meaning of NATO's Strength and Biden's Support:

Biden hailed North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as more effective, energized and united than ever. He affirmed that Sweden's membership in the alliance would be materialized soon.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, echoed this sentiment during his visit to Sweden, urging Turkey to approve Sweden's bid prior to the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius.

Biden further conveyed his commitment to Ukraine, emphasizing the unwavering support of the American people.

Sweden's NATO Membership Process:

Sweden and Finland had started to seek membership of the NATO Alliance following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and while Finland joined the alliance in April, but Sweden's application is still pending.

The approval of new NATO members requires ratification by existing member countries.

Despite Hungary and Turkey being key decision-makers in Sweden's accession, Turkey has been regarded as the main obstacle due to concerns over alleged support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Swedish soil.

Addressing Turkey's Concerns:

Sweden acknowledges Turkey's concerns and is actively working to address them in accordance with a trilateral memorandum signed by Sweden, Turkey, and Finland.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted a reminder to his Swedish counterpart, urging them to fulfill their commitments regarding counter-terrorism efforts.

Biden's Efforts and Turkey's Role:

Biden have also discussed Sweden's NATO application for membership with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a phone call in which he also congratulated him following his re-election as the President of Republic of Turkiye.

The US president highlighted the importance of finalizing a deal with Sweden while mentioning Turkey's interest in procuring US-made F-16 fighter jets.

Although Biden did not mention Turkey directly in his recent remarks, he underscored NATO's solidarity in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and emphasized that Putin had miscalculated NATO's resolve.

Biden’s Optimism:

President Biden remains optimistic about Sweden's eventual NATO membership despite obstacles posed by Hungary and Turkey.

The unity and strength of NATO, coupled with the unwavering support of the United States, reaffirm the commitment to defending shared values and supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom, sovereignty, and democracy.

The US has consistently provided significant humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, demonstrating its steadfast dedication to the cause.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)