Erdogan accused Sweden on Monday of being a “hotbed” for terrorist organizations. The terrorists are also in the Swedish parliament. Both countries would host people who have ties to groups Turkey views as terrorists. Erdogan referred to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and supporters of preacher Fethullah Gülen, who he says was behind the failed military coup in 2016.
Erdogan also alluded to the “sanctions” imposed on Turkey. Sweden has not delivered any weapons to Turkey since 2019 because of Ankara’s military operation in neighboring Syria. The Turkish president had already accused Sweden and Finland on Friday of behaving “like a guest house for terrorist organizations”. He therefore has no “positive opinion” on the two countries’ NATO membership plans.
Other Angry NATO Countries
The Turkish president’s statements caused irritation in NATO. Many other NATO countries, including Germany, declared their explicit support for the Swedish and Finnish membership plans. Alliance secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said after a meeting of foreign ministers in Berlin on Sunday that Turkey had no intention of “blocking” the entry of Sweden and Finland.
Green light to join NATO
Sweden wants to become a member of NATO. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Monday that the country would apply to be included in the defense alliance.
But Turkey has been sending conflicting signals over its approval of Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership for days. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had recently confirmed that his country had reservations, but that Turkey has always advocated an “open-door policy”. It was later said that Turkey was demanding security guarantees if Sweden and Finland were admitted to NATO. In addition, export restrictions would have to be lifted. In addition, both countries must stop supporting terrorism, said Cavusoglu.
Threat with calculation
So it looks like Turkey wants to secure more concessions for its deal. According to diplomats, in addition to the declarations of the two northern European countries on the fight against terrorism, US concessions may also play a role. Turkey wants to buy F-16 fighter jets from the Americans and is waiting for an end to the dispute over the purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.
Turkey ordered the S-400 system in 2017, despite vehement protests from the US and NATO. Upon delivery, the US excluded Turkey from the F-35 fighter program and imposed sanctions. From Washington’s perspective, using the system would jeopardize the safety of American soldiers and American military technology. Turkey could now insist on rapprochement with NATO partner US on the matter.
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Observers in Turkey also see internal political considerations in Erdogan’s actions, after all there will be presidential and parliamentary elections in the country next year. In view of Turkey’s domestic and economic problems, Erdogan is likely to try to position himself in foreign policy. Numerous experts are assuming that Turkey will eventually agree to membership.
Putin announces Russian response
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov described the two countries’ possible admission to NATO on Monday morning as a “serious mistake with far-reaching consequences”. President Vladimir Putin also spoke in the afternoon. The head of state announced that Russia would react to NATO’s planned expansion to include Sweden and Finland.
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NATO expansion is a problem, Putin said in Moscow. Russia has no problems with the two Nordic countries. But he will react to the expansion of military infrastructure there. Furthermore, Russia must also keep in mind that the military alliance wants to expand its global influence.
unanimity required
Sweden and Finland plan to file the application together in the coming days. In Finland, parliament is still voting on Tuesday. According to polls, about two-thirds of people now support NATO membership, in Sweden the figure is around 50%.
Graphics: APA/ORF.at
Admission to NATO would be a historic turning point for Sweden and Finland after decades of non-alignment. A unanimous NATO vote and ratification of the enlargement by the parliaments of all 30 former member states are required for its membership. At a meeting of foreign ministers in Berlin over the weekend, top representatives of NATO and its member states promised Finland and Sweden a speedy admission process.