Sitting in the Oval Office with the Swedish prime minister, Biden said:
We look forward to their NATO membership.
Biden he added: Sweden is a capable and committed partner.
The point is that Sweden makes our alliance stronger
he noted.
Kristersson thanked the American president for his invitation and his support for his country’s NATO membership.
We also believe that there are things we can contribute
said the Swedish Prime Minister.
Sweden and Finland submitted their application for NATO membership last year, shortly after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Scandinavian state would thus end more than two centuries of military neutrality.
However, Turkey vetoed the country’s admission, saying Stockholm supports Kurdish terrorists. Meanwhile, Sweden complied with Turkish requests, but Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkish president still refuses to vote for Swedish accession.
Along with Turkey, only Hungary did not ratify Sweden’s NATO accession.
Standing at the head of NATO’s leading military power, Biden’s support for Sweden is a clear message can be considered For Turkey and Hungary to support the accession.
Representatives of Sweden, Turkey and NATO will meet in Brussels on Thursday to find a solution to the issue ahead of a NATO summit on July 11 and 12.
Cover photo: U.S. President Joe Biden and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hold a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on July 5, 2023. MTI/AP/Evan Vucci
