Biden supports Sweden’s NATO membership bid, meets PM at White House.

President Joe Biden warmly welcomed Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to the White House on July 5th, expressing strong support for Sweden’s NATO membership ahead of the alliance’s historic summit next week.

Sweden, citing increased security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, has been eager to join NATO. However, Hungary and Turkey have been the main opponents to Sweden’s application.

During their meeting, President Biden referred to Sweden as a “valued friend and partner” and emphasized the importance of its entrance into the military alliance.

This bilateral meeting marked the first time the two leaders met in the White House since President Biden took office.

Both leaders will be participating in the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, next week. The summit, scheduled for July 11th-12th, will bring together heads of state, military officials, and diplomats from all 31 member nations of the alliance.

Prime Minister Kristersson expressed gratitude for the invitation to Washington and Sweden’s “high appreciation” for President Biden’s support for NATO membership.

This year’s summit in Vilnius is considered a critical moment, with some experts calling it the most significant gathering since the Cold War or even NATO’s founding in 1949. The member countries are expected to address pressing global security challenges, particularly the increasing threats from Russia and China.

Why Does Sweden Face Opposition?

NATO decisions require consensus among all member states.

Hungary has recently decided to delay the ratification of Sweden’s accession bid until its autumn legislative session. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government accuses Swedish politicians of spreading “blatant lies” about the state of Hungarian democracy.

Turkey is also withholding approval of Sweden’s request, citing unresolved security concerns.

In a recent interview, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Sweden should not expect to join the alliance anytime soon.

The Turkish government accuses Sweden of being too accommodating towards certain groups, including militant Kurdish groups and individuals linked to a 2016 coup attempt.

Sweden’s recent Quran-burning protests have further angered Turkey. While Sweden’s leaders have condemned the act, such protests are protected under the country’s free speech laws.

“Whether Sweden’s membership in NATO will be a burden or a benefit, in terms of strategic and security assessment, is now more than ever open to debate,” said Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a press conference on July 4th.

Top diplomats from Turkey and Sweden are expected to meet at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels on July 6th to address their differences.

A Crucial Moment

Sweden’s potential accession to NATO would mark a significant turning point for the country, which has avoided military alliances for over two centuries.

Last month, Prime Minister Kristersson expressed Sweden’s desire to join NATO either before or during the July summit.