ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated on Friday that Turkey might consider supporting Sweden’s NATO candidacy, stating that his country would make the best decision during the upcoming alliance summit.
Erdogan’s remarks came ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where discussions centered around Russia’s invasion and the expansion of the US-led military bloc.
Turkey, as a NATO member, has been reluctant to accept Sweden into the alliance, which has caused frustration among Washington and Brussels. Both argue that Sweden has addressed Ankara’s concerns adequately.
Erdogan’s Resistance to Sweden’s NATO Bid
Erdogan’s resistance to Sweden’s candidacy stems from a longstanding dispute regarding Stockholm’s perceived leniency towards alleged Kurdish militants residing in the Nordic country.
While reiterating his concerns, Erdogan did not rule out the possibility of giving his approval for Sweden’s membership. The Turkish president is set to discuss the matter with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during NATO-organized talks on Monday.
During televised remarks, Erdogan stated, “On Tuesday, during the leadership summit in Vilnius, we will discuss Turkey’s concerns with our partners. We will make the best decision, whatever it is.”
