Turkey does not allow Sweden and Finland into NATO

According to the Turkish president, recent talks in Helsinki and Stockholm have not proceeded as expected – no steps have been taken to address Ankara’s concerns.

Despite Turkey’s talks this week with representatives from Sweden and Finland, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan still refused to agree to NATO expansion.

As long as he is the head of the Turkish state, Ankara “cannot say yes” to the entry into NATO of countries supporting terrorism, Erdogan was quoted by the Hürriyet newspaper on Sunday, May 29.

According to him, the talks in Helsinki and Stockholm, which took place on May 25, “did not go to the expected level” – the countries did not take the steps required by the Turkish authorities in the fight against terrorism. “They are not frank or honest,” the Turkish president added, referring to the Finnish and Swedish authorities.

Erdogan also said that Turkey wants to see the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine as soon as possible, but the situation is becoming more negative every day.

“On Monday, I will conduct telephone talks in both Russia and Ukraine. We will continue to encourage the parties to use the channels of dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.

Turkey is currently the only NATO member openly blocking the start of the process for Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Alliance.

Why is Erdogan against Finland and Sweden in NATO

Ankara justifies its position on the alleged support of these countries by Kurdish armed groups, which it considers terrorists. Turkish authorities also demand that Sweden and Finland extradite the “terrorists”.

The admission of new members must be unanimously approved by all NATO member states.

News from Athletistic in the Telegram. Subscribe to our channel Athletistic