Turkey is demanding that Sweden expel Kurdish suspects before considering its membership in NATO. Sweden has been in talks with Turkey regarding its NATO membership since May 2022.
Turkey has accused harboring Kurdish militants, whom it considers terrorists, and has criticized Sweden’s arms embargo on Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that Sweden must address Turkey’s concerns before joining NATO.
Sweden has expressed willingness to work with Turkey but has not agreed to expel any Kurdish suspects. This standoff is causing a delay in Sweden’s accession to NATO, and if an agreement is not reached, it could take months or even years to join.
Sweden’s membership would benefit NATO strategically, but it highlights that NATO is not always a unified bloc as member states have differing interests and priorities. The outcome of the situation remains uncertain, emphasizing that NATO expansion is not always a seamless process.
It remains to be seen whether Sweden will be able to overcome Turkey’s objections and join NATO. However, the standoff between the two countries is a sign that NATO’s expansion is not always a smooth process.
