President Joe Biden is set to host Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the White House on Wednesday, demonstrating solidarity as the U.S. advocates for Sweden’s entry into NATO, AP News reports.
Meeting Agenda
The leaders will “review our growing security cooperation and reaffirm their view that Sweden should join NATO as soon as possible,” according to a White House statement. Discussions on the war in Ukraine and matters involving China are also on the agenda.
Sweden’s NATO Bid
Sweden and Finland abandoned their long-standing policy of military nonalignment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While Finland joined NATO in April, Sweden’s entry has been delayed by Turkey and Hungary, as NATO expansion requires unanimous approval from all members.
Obstacles to Membership
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has resisted Sweden’s entry, citing the country’s leniency towards groups Turkey considers a security threat. Hungary also has yet to ratify Sweden’s bid, with allegations of “blatant lies” about the state of Hungary’s democracy from Swedish politicians adding to the tension.
Hungry too has yet to ratify Sweden’s entry into NATO with Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government alleging that Sweden’s politicians have told “blatant lies” regarding the Eastern European nation’s democracy, according to the report.
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