WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden welcomed Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to the White House on Wednesday for discussions on Sweden’s stalled bid to join NATO and Western support for Ukraine ahead of the upcoming NATO summit.
The Oval Office meeting marks the beginning of a series of diplomatic engagements for Biden centered around NATO, including visits to the United Kingdom and Finland.
Both Finland and Sweden, in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, have abandoned their official neutrality and expressed their desire to join NATO. While Finland swiftly gained approval from the alliance, Sweden’s entry has been hindered by objections from two NATO members, Turkey and Hungary.
US Support for Sweden’s NATO Accession
During the meeting, Biden and Kristersson reiterated their support for Sweden’s NATO accession, emphasizing the strategic importance of the bloc’s expansion and its efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. They also discussed transatlantic coordination on key issues such as China, climate change, and emerging technologies.
The aim was to welcome Sweden formally into NATO by the upcoming summit, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has linked approval to specific demands related to Kurdish movements and other domestic issues. Sweden claims to have met these demands, but tensions have arisen over recent events, including a protest outside a Stockholm mosque.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan rejected the idea of imposing a deadline for the NATO summit, stating that time pressure is not an acceptable approach. Hungary has indicated its alignment with Turkey’s stance on the matter. Diplomatic consultations between top officials from Turkey and Sweden are set to take place at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
These discussions come at a critical time as Ukraine launches a counteroffensive against Russian occupation in its eastern and southern regions. The Biden administration hopes that progress in Ukraine’s efforts will strengthen public opinion and support for US aid to Ukraine ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
