MADRID – NATO leaders on Wednesday formally invited Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, a day after Turkey refused to object to their membership, clearing the way for what would be a one of the alliance’s most significant expansions in decades.
The historic agreement, which follows Turkey’s agreement on a memorandum of understanding with the two Nordic countries, highlights how the war in Ukraine has backfired on President Vladimir V. Putin, undermining his efforts. Russia aims to weaken NATO and push Sweden and Finland, two neutral and unaligned nations for decades, into the alliance’s arms.
After weeks of talks, capped by a multi-hour meeting in Madrid, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to lift Sweden and Finland’s membership in exchange for a series of actions. and promised that they would act against terrorism and terrorist organizations.
“As NATO allies, Finland and Sweden are committed to fully support Turkey against threats to its national security,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, providing some details of the agreement. He added: “This includes further amending their domestic laws, cracking down on PKK activities and signing an agreement with Turkey on extradition,” referring to the Kurdistan Workers Party, organization seeking an independent Kurdish state in the territory partially within the borders of Turkey.
The legislatures of all 30 existing members must vote to amend the treaty that established NATO to accept the new members. Previously, this had taken up to a year, but is expected to be much faster for the Nordic countries.
Understanding the Russo-Ukrainian War
The US Senate is currently pushing for hearings on the application, and Mr. Biden is a firm supporter of new members.
Erdogan has blocked bids by Nordic countries in NATO amid concerns about Sweden’s longtime support for the PKK, which has attacked demilitarized targets and killed civilians in Turkey. Turkey, is outlawed in that country and designated by both the United States and the European Union. as a terrorist organization.
However, the memorandum does not specify the extradition of any of the 45 people Mr Erdogan is wanted to Turkey to face terrorism charges. Sweden passed tougher anti-terrorism laws that went into effect on Friday.
Both Finland and Sweden have not been militarily linked for many years, but decided to apply to join the alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine in February. With Russia attacking a neighbour, both countries felt vulnerable, although Sweden, with its long tradition of neutrality, was more hesitant.
Putin warned both countries against joining NATO, but his threats proved counterproductive.
The two countries bring geostrategic benefits to the alliance. Finland shares an 830-mile border with Russia and has a well-equipped modern army; Sweden can control the entrance to the Baltic Sea, which will greatly help NATO in its plan to defend the more vulnerable countries in Eastern Europe.
The final push to resolve the dispute began early Tuesday, when President Biden called Erdogan to urge him to “seize the moment” ahead of the summit, allowing discussions on Other topics are under way, according to a senior administration official. knowledge of the discussion.
The official said that the agreement between Turkey and the two Nordic countries involves compromises by both sides, including a statement by Turkey welcoming Finland and Sweden to apply and related issues. to the arms embargo imposed on Turkey, and Turkey believes that Finland and Sweden have provided safe havens for groups they consider terrorists.
Johanna Lemola Contribution report from Helsinki, Finland.
