Turkey Approves Sweden's NATO Membership

The Turkish Parliament has given its approval for Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in a process that was delayed for years and hindered Western efforts to respond decisively to Russia's war on Ukraine.

The approval of Stockholm's request to join NATO received the support of 287 legislators, with 55 votes against, making Hungary the final obstacle to Sweden's full membership in the defense alliance.

Swedish Prime Minister Olaf Kristersson stated that Sweden is now just one step away from achieving full membership in NATO following the Turkish Parliament's vote in favor.

Kristersson expressed on the social media platform X, "Today, we are one step closer to full NATO membership. The Turkish Parliament's vote in favor of Sweden's accession to the alliance is a positive development."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Turkey's move and urged Hungary to follow suit.

Stoltenberg stated in a statement, "I welcome the Turkish National Assembly's vote in favor of Sweden's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," adding that "we rely on Hungary to ratify its membership as soon as possible."

In Washington, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan posted on the social media platform X that the United States welcomes Turkey's approval of Sweden's NATO membership request.

Sullivan added, "Sweden is a strong and capable defense partner, and its membership in NATO will make the United States and the alliance more secure and strong."