WATCH LIVE: White House holds news briefing as Biden hosts Swedish counterpart in NATO bid
PBS NewsHourJul 03, 2023
Biden Voices Support for Sweden's NATO Bid Ahead of Key Summit
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The Facts
On Wednesday, US Pres. Joe Biden welcomed Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson to the White House, as he once again vocalized support for the Scandinavian state's potential accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO).
Sweden ended its over 200-year tradition of military non-alignment by applying to become a NATO member alongside Finland following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Finland was admitted in April this year, while Sweden has faced objections from Hungary and Turkey, with NATO requiring unanimous member approval for expansion.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
For the sake of Western unity and strength, Hungary and Turkey must drop their vetoes and allow Sweden to become a member of NATO. Sweden has accepted a plethora of Turkish demands, and if the two states continue to oppose Sweden's accession, both Turkey's and Hungary's loyalty to the organization will be drawn into question.
Establishment-critical narrative
Turkey, having sided with the Western bloc in the aftermath of WWII, has become an important NATO member and provides a key security cushion in the Black Sea. In return, Turkey rightfully conditions Sweden's ratification on the ending of Islamophobia and PKK activities in the state. Sweden has not achieved this, and the US is racing against time to avoid embarrassment at the next summit.
