NATO talks with Finland, Sweden waver but will continue
BRUSSELS (AP) – NATO envoys failed to reach agreement on Wednesday on whether to open membership talks with Finland and Sweden, said diplomats, who Turkey renewed its objections that the two Nordic countries join.
The envoys met at NATO headquarters in Brussels after Finnish and Swedish ambassadors submitted written applications to join the military organization, in a move that marks one of the biggest geopolitical consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine – and who could write about Europe’s security map.
The diplomats, who did not want to be named because of the sensitive nature of the procedure, declined to say who delayed the procedure. They pointed to messages from many of the 30 NATO allies who welcomed it Request from Finland and Sweden.
Lithuanian Ambassador Deividas Matulionis told Swedish and Finnish media that the envoys had exchanged views on their national security. “The discussion was about that, but it is up to Turkey to comment,” he said.
NATO officials also refused to provide details. They underlined statements earlier Wednesday by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, that “we are determined to work through all issues and reach a quick conclusion.” Meetings and diplomatic contacts aimed at resolving the issue will continue.
US President Joe Biden expressed optimism on the issue on Wednesday.
“I think we will make it,” he said.
Turkey is the only ally to have clearly expressed his opposition – and while the Croatian president on Wednesday suggested that his country could do the same to secure a balance between the Western powers, it is unlikely that he will trace from the Croatian government’s support for the Nordic couple’s NATO accession.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that Finland and Sweden must show more respect for Turkish sensitivities on terrorism. He refuses to give in to what he says is their alleged support for Kurdish militants.
Erdogan accuses the two countries of turning a blind eye to activities of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, despite the group being on the EU’s blacklist against terrorism.
“You will not hand over terrorists to us, but you will ask us to allow you to join NATO. NATO is a security unit … Therefore, we can not say ‘yes’ to depriving this security organization of security,” he said. on Wednesday.
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said his country in the Balkans should follow suit. Milanovic quarrels with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic over domestic issues.
“We should follow Turkey’s example,” Milanovic said. “Turkey will sell its NATO status at a high price.”
Before Croatia’s legislators ratify the Nordic couple’s NATO bid, Milanovic – a socialist – wants a change in neighboring Bosnia’s electoral law in favor of Bosnian Croats. But Plenkovic’s conservative party enjoys a small majority over the Socialists in parliament and would probably vote on Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO bid.
The day started with a positive tone in Brussels. Stoltenberg had said that the military alliance was ready to take a historic moment and move forward quickly to allow Finland and Sweden to join its ranks, after the two countries submitted their applications for membership.
The official applications set a security bell to tick. Russia, whose war against Ukraine urged them to join the alliance, has warned that it would not welcome such a move and could respond.
“I warmly welcome the wishes of Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners, said Stoltenberg. “We all agree that we must stand together, and we all agree that this is a historic moment that we must seize.”
“This is a good day at a critical moment for our security,” said a radiant Stoltenberg as he stood beside the two envoys, with NATO, Finnish and Swedish flags in the background.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that the alliance stop expanding towards Russia’s borders and several NATO allies, led by the United States and Britain, have signaled their readiness to provide security assistance to Finland and Sweden should the Kremlin try to provoke or destabilize them during it. time it takes to become full members.
Countries will only benefit from NATO’s Article 5 security guarantee – the part of the Alliance’s founding treaty that promises that any attack on a member would be considered an attack by all of them – once the membership ratification process is completed, probably in a few months.
A senior US defense official said that the Pentagon is in ongoing discussions with Sweden and Finland about their security needs to deter Russia when it comes to NATO membership.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private Pentagon discussions, said that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Sweden’s Secretary of Defense Peter Hultqvist on Wednesday and they talked about the interim period.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Wednesday that the United States and European allies are “prepared to send a very clear message … that we will not tolerate any aggression against Finland or Sweden” until NATO Article 5 enters into force for them.
Sullivan also said that Biden asked his national security team and his chiefs of staff about the risks and benefits of Finland and Sweden joining NATO, and that they “unanimously” supported the support because both countries are demonstrably “very capable security partners.”
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson welcomed the Nordic applications in a tweet, saying that “Putin’s terrible ambitions have changed the geopolitical contours of our continent.” Germany, Italy, the Baltic states and the Czech Republic all spoke positively about the candidates.
The membership process usually takes eight to 12 months, but NATO wants to move quickly given the threat from Russia that hangs over the heads of the Nordic countries.
Public opinion in Finland and Sweden has changed sharply in favor of membership since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February.
Finland and Sweden work closely with NATO. They have functioning democracies, well-funded armed forces and contribute to the Alliance’s military operations and air policing.
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Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Lolita C. Baldor, Christopher Megerian and Aamer Madhani in Washington, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen and Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report.
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