NATO Chief Cannot Assure Finland, Sweden Bid Unless Turkey Drops Its Opposition

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Finland and Sweden joining the military bloc depends on whether the conditions of Turkey could be met. The two Nordic nations are prevented from joining unless all members agree, and even Stoltenberg cannot intercede.

Turkey Continues to Oppose Finland, Sweden NATO Bid

There was uncertainty if Stockholm and Helsinki could be part of the military alliance based on President Tayyip Erdogan's opposition to them joining, reported RT.

One of the reasons why the two Nordic nations opted to be part of the US-led bloc in May is the special military operation in Ukraine.

These two nations were supposed to be part of the military bloc, but Ankara invoked the rules, which had proven to be painful for military bloc leaders like the US, which tried to throw its weight on Turkey but failed.

Erdogan demanded that the two hopefuls stop coddling the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and imposing arms embargoes on Ankara to get things rolling.

Stoltenberg told Politico last Wednesday about why Helsinki and Stockholm are held up. The outlet asked if he felt hostage by Ankara, said the American news outlet, adding the opposing nation is not supporting the move that needs all thirty members for a yes.

The NATO chief remarked that Finland and Sweden applied not so long ago, and the focus of the official is to facilitate joining them sooner. Turkey and its refusal to agree until all the conditions have complied with this objection cannot be ignored.

Turkey Remains a Strategic Ally to NATO States

Stoltenberg lavished praise on Ankara as an important ally of the military bloc, combatting terrorists and its control of the Black Sea and its borders in Iraq and Syria.

The western nations need it for geopolitical reasons, and they won't let any rival nations take this advance away, cited Azerbaycan 24.

Issues raised by Turkey are relevant, the country's concerns against the two Nordic countries are addressed, and talks are going on as well. From there, the secretary-general expressed how to answer acceptably. The US supports the inclusion of Helsinki and Stockholm as part of the US-led military bloc to fence Russia on the northeast side of the military bloc.

Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried reacted to the concern last Wednesday. She added they are sure it will be solved positively, and many in the military bloc support the two Nordic nations in their bid during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

Asked about the consensus about Helsinki and Stockholm's application to be a member of the US-led military bloc will be answered in Madrid from the 29th to 30th, when a NATO summit will be held. She added that is the objective.

Moscow mentioned that Sweden and Finland would jeopardize their national security by joining the military bloc. The NATO chief Stoltenberg cannot say how their bids will go due to the conditions of Turkey; it seems Ankara is becoming a nuisance, but its strategic position makes it impossible to criticize it.