Swedish and Finnish leaders also gave a message of dialogue to Turkey. US President Joe Biden, who met with the leaders of Sweden and Finland, who have applied for NATO membership, at the White House, said that the two countries “more than met” all the requirements to become NATO members. “Having two new NATO members in the north will increase the security of our alliance,” Biden said.
Describing the two countries as “excellent democracies” and “close, high-capacity partners”, Biden said they “strongly support” Sweden and Finland’s application for membership. Referring to Russia’s opposition, Biden said, “The joining of new members to NATO is not a threat for any country. It has never been.” Biden said the United States and its allies “will deter and oppose any aggression that may occur during the accession process of Finland and Sweden”.
Finnish President: We are open to negotiations with Turkey
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö also made statements about Turkey’s opposition to the NATO membership process. Niinistö said that if his country becomes a member of NATO, they will contribute to Turkey’s security.
Niinistö said that they are ready to address Ankara’s concerns and said, “Finland has always had a proud and good bilateral relationship with Turkey. When we are NATO allies, we will have a commitment to Turkey’s security, just as Turkey will have a commitment to our security.”
“We take terrorism seriously,” Niinistö said.
Swedish PM: Invasion of Russia a turning point
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said that they reached out to Turkey and other NATO members to resolve all problems. “After 200 years of military non-alignment, Sweden has chosen a new path,” said Andersson, describing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “a turning point”. “My government has concluded that the security of the Swedish people is best protected within the NATO alliance,” Andersson said.
AP, Reuters/EC, UK