Stoltenberg Continues To Push Swedish Accession Ahead Of Summit

Speaking ahead of the upcoming 11-12 July leaders' summit, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg states that "It is time for Sweden to join the NATO alliance". Claims that "Any further delay in Sweden's membership would be welcomed by PPK [Kurdistan Workers' Party] and Russia's Putin."

• Following a meeting in Brussels of senior foreign, defense and intelligence officials from Sweden, Finland, and Turkey Stoltenberg says that "We reaffirmed Swedish membership is within reach", and that he intends to convene meeting with Turkish, Swedish leaders at Vilnius summit. Adds that "The message is clear from other allies - apart from Hungary - we want Sweden to join NATO."
• The prospect of Sweden's accession being formally approved at the summit appears unlikely, given the continued objections from Ankara regarding Sweden's refusal to extradite Kurdish dissidents and controversial protests in Stockholm that saw copies of the Quran burned.
• There has been some speculation that Turkey is seeking to extract concessions from other member states, notably the US, in exchange for approving Swedish accession. Turkey needs the US Congress to approve the sale of F-16 jets to Ankara.
• However, in a battle of brinkmanshipsenior congressional figures have said that no jet sales will be approved until Sweden's accession is approved and Turkey's 'belligerent' stance towards other NATO members is toned down.
• The saga risks souring relations between Turkey and senior NATO partners, not only risking defence cooperation but potentially broader economic and diplomatic links.