Türkiye has agreed to support Sweden's bid to join NATO, putting an end to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's opposition. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that Erdogan had agreed to back Sweden's application and would present it to Turkish lawmakers for ratification. The decision was reached during a meeting between Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Vilnius. Stoltenberg described the move as a historic step that strengthens the security of all NATO allies.

Türkiye had been blocking NATO's expansion, citing concerns that Sweden had not done enough to combat pro-Kurdish "terrorist organizations." The alliance requires unanimous approval for new members, and Erdogan previously suggested that Turkey would approve Sweden's bid if Türkiye were welcomed into the European Union. However, Stoltenberg denied any connection between NATO expansion and Türkiye's EU accession.

Stoltenberg stated that Erdogan and Kristersson worked closely together to address Ankara's legitimate security concerns. As part of this process, Sweden made constitutional amendments, changed its laws, significantly intensified its counterterrorism efforts against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and resumed arms exports to Türkiye.

Erdogan pledged to promptly submit Sweden's NATO bid to Turkish lawmakers for ratification, although no specific timeline has been set for Sweden's accession to the bloc.

Sweden and neighboring Finland applied for NATO membership last year, deviating from their long-standing military neutrality due to concerns arising from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While Finland was officially admitted to the alliance in April, Türkiye blocked Sweden's application, accusing the country of harboring Kurdish terrorists.

The agreement between Türkiye and Sweden sets the stage for a united front at the NATO summit, which aims to provide support to Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

To complete its NATO accession, Sweden's bid still needs approval from the Turkish parliament, and Hungary's consent is also pending. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has signaled his intention to follow Erdogan's lead.

During the Vilnius summit, US President Joe Biden expressed gratitude to Stoltenberg and looked forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as the 32nd NATO ally.

The news of Türkiye's agreement with Sweden brings relief after a prolonged delay in Sweden's NATO membership application. Türkiye had accused Stockholm of sheltering Kurdish activists it considers terrorists. Additionally, Erdogan demanded that the European Union revive Türkiye's stalled EU membership bid as a precondition for Sweden joining NATO. However, after talks with EU chief Charles Michel, Sweden pledged to support efforts to reinvigorate Türkiye's EU accession process, including modernizing the EU-Türkiye Customs Union and liberalizing visa policies.

While Türkiye has been a candidate for EU membership since 2005, discussions have stalled with little progress. The recent statements indicate a potential improvement in trade and customs agreements between Ankara and Brussels, as well as relaxed visa regulations, despite the absence of formal membership talks.

Meanwhile, Ukraine welcomed a positive development in its quest for a guarantee of NATO membership once it defeats the Russian invasion. The allies are expected to drop the requirement for Ukraine to complete a "Membership Action Plan," which would expedite its path to NATO membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a clear signal and support from NATO, stating that Ukraine deserves to be in the alliance.

However, NATO leaders remain divided on offering Ukraine a concrete pathway to membership. While Eastern allies advocate for explicit commitments, the United States and Germany are reluctant to go beyond their previous promise that Ukraine will eventually become a member.

The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with Russian shelling in the town of Orikhiv resulting in casualties, and Ukrainian troops gaining control over enemy movements in Bakhmut.

The agreement between Türkiye and Sweden and the developments regarding Ukraine will be key topics of discussion at the NATO summit in Vilnius. The decision to back Sweden's NATO bid represents a significant milestone and contributes to the unity of NATO allies during these critical times.

^{Source: RT}