DÉFENSE ZONE
After Finland joined NATO, all eyes are turning to Sweden, eager to follow its neighbour’s lead. In the Swedish case, however, the Turkish lock is far harder to open. US senators are convinced that Turkey will take no decision before the elections next May.
During his recent visit to the country, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured Stockholm of American support for Sweden’s NATO membership. “Mr Austin said he expected Sweden to join NATO before the Alliance’s next summit, to be held in mid-July”, reports the media outlet Atlantico.
At a large naval and air demonstration organised for the occasion, Sweden sought to show that it was ready to join the Atlantic Alliance. “It was an honour to see them in action. I look forward to calling Sweden a NATO ally”, Mr Austin tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan will not lift his veto against Sweden. He blames the Swedish government for its support of the Kurdish community, classified as a terrorist organisation by Turkey. For the Turkish president, it is also a way of pampering the nationalist voters who form the core of his electorate.
Senators interviewed by the American outlet NatSec Daily are therefore convinced that Erdoğan will not change his mind before the country goes to the polls. Whatever the outcome, Sweden’s chances will be much greater after 14 May, election day.
“I think we will see things move very quickly after 14 May, regardless of the outcome of the election”, said Senator Jim Risch, ranking Republican member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along the same lines.
As a token of goodwill, on 17 April the US State Department authorised the sale of defence equipment and services so that Turkey could begin modernising its F-16s. However, Senator Chris Van Hollen reiterated his position that Turkey should not receive the 40 F-16 fighter jets it has requested from the United States until Sweden has joined NATO.
Of course, the close relationship between Turkey and Russia also comes into play. If Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins the elections, he could continue to block Sweden’s membership in order to favour his ties with Vladimir Putin.
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