During Monday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) visited US President Joe Biden in the White House. The meeting revolved around the issue of Sweden’s NATO membership and the likelihood of ratification during the NATO countries’ upcoming summit in Vilnius.
– We both realize that the Vilnius meeting in a week is a very suitable time for Swedish membership, but only Turkey can make Turkish decisions, said Ulf Kristersson to SVT Nyheter.
– My realistic assessment is that it would be good and that it is entirely possible, he said in a comment to TT.
“Very important” to the United States
During a press conference, Joe Biden said that he believes that Sweden will make NATO stronger and that Swedish membership is “very important”.
– Sweden is a capable and committed partner. Together we are ready for the NATO meeting next week and I want to emphasize that the US fully supports Sweden’s entry into NATO, said Joe Biden.
Ulf Kristersson insists that the US not only wants but also acts for Sweden to be accepted into NATO.
– I feel very comfortable and confident that the US is now doing its part and really underlines that it is in their interest for Sweden to join NATO. Nothing is clear, he tells SVT Nyheter.
May depend on F-16
During Wednesday evening, information came that the US is approaching a sale of fighter aircraft of the F-16 model to Turkey. Such a deal is a possible concession that the US could give Turkey in exchange for ratifying Sweden’s NATO application. If the information is correct, it means that we are closer to Swedish NATO membership, says Middle East analyst Aras Lindh in SVT’s live broadcast.
– The problem in the US is that it is not something that the White House can decide on itself – it is Congress, he says, adding that Congress has blocked such a sale.