President Joe Biden told Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson that he was "anxiously looking forward" to the country's acceptance into NATO, reiterating their shared objective of strengthening the Western alliance against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
During their meeting at the White House, both parties emphasized the potential benefits of adding Sweden to the group: "We also do think that we have things to contribute," Kristersson told the president.
Biden Backs Sweden's NATO Bid
Although Biden and other NATO leaders are slated to travel to a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in less than a week, the inclusion of Sweden remains unlikely due to the persistent opposition of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Turkish leader has barred the application for membership because Sweden has harbored Kurdish dissidents and refugees affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which Turkey views as a terrorist organization.
The issue is crucial for NATO, which is reluctant to display indications of internal division at its annual summit, especially as the conflict in Ukraine continues. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, Sweden abandoned decades of neutrality to pursue membership in NATO.
Erdogan has also invested heavily in the matter, having long argued that the West does not take his concerns about Kurdish terrorism seriously enough. Every other member of the NATO alliance has approved Sweden's membership except Hungary, whose foreign minister said his country would sign off once Turkey did.
Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that President Biden would "continue to be outspoken" about Sweden joining the alliance but that the decision ultimately rested with the group's 31 members, NY Times reported.
Biden emphasized the significance of Sweden's membership, which has been impeded by objections from Turkey and Hungary. NATO expansion necessitates the unanimity of all members.
During brief public remarks in the Oval Office, the president told Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, "You are a valued, valued friend."
Per PBS, Kristersson responded, "We greatly appreciate your firm support" for NATO membership.
During their private meeting, the two leaders were also anticipated to discuss security cooperation, Russia's conflict in Ukraine, and China-related issues.
Turkey, Hungary Object to Sweden's Aim to Join NATO
After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland abandoned their longstanding policy of military neutrality. Both individuals sought protection under the organization's security umbrella by applying for NATO membership.
In April, Finland, which shares a border with Russia of more than 800 miles (1,300 kilometers), joined NATO. In contrast, Sweden, which has avoided military alliances for over two centuries, has been delayed.
NATO had anticipated that the path to Sweden's membership would be clear before the alliance's summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12.
Sweden's entrance into the alliance would be a symbolically significant event and the most recent indication that Russia's conflict is compelling countries to join the alliance. Those expectations have waned.
Erdogan has resisted, and his government has accused Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that, according to Turkey, pose a threat to national security, such as militant Kurdish organizations and individuals linked to the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.
He criticized Sweden last week for a Quran-burning protest. After a court overturned a ban on a similar Quran burning, Swedish police permitted the demonstration outside a central Stockholm mosque, citing freedom of expression.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will convene senior officials from Turkey, Sweden, and Finland to surmount Turkey's objections.
In addition, Hungary has yet to ratify Sweden's proposal. According to Hungarian legislators, the long-delayed resolution will not occur until the fall legislative session.
The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has claimed that Swedish politicians have told "blatant falsehoods" about the state of democracy in Hungary. High-ranking Hungarian officials have supported Sweden's quest to join the European Union while outlining vague conditions for Stockholm's approval.
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