14 minutes agoBlinken Optimistic for Finland, Sweden's NATO Membership
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced confidence that Sweden and Finland will join NATO after these two states officially apply, despite Turkey's voicing concerns about the possible membership of these two Nordic states. The United States will strongly support Sweden and Finland's NATO application if these [...]
“The United States will strongly support the NATO and Finland application, if these two states decide to officially apply for membership in the alliance”, Blinken told reporters Sunday after NATO foreign ministers met in Berlin.
He said he has heard “powerful support” for the NATO membership of these two states.
“I am convinced that we will reach consensus”, he said.
Finland officially announced 15 May it will apply for NATO membership.
This state, located on the border with Russia, is expected to apply to NATO after Parliament approves such a decision.
Sweden, another Nordic state, is expected to make such an announcement on May 16th.
Russia has warned against NATO enlargement, while Turkey has voiced controversy over possible membership of Finland and Sweden.
Turkey's objections most involve Sweden's possible application, due to its mild attitude towards the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which Turkey, the US and the European Union consider a terrorist organisation/ REL.
