[Goose]

No arms for you Hungary, until you approve Sweden to join NATO:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-sena...023-06-14/

I don't buy Hungary's act for a minute. Of course they want HIMARS.

Indeed they do, but they can't afford it. Their financial problems with the EU are ongoing. They probably want the US to foot all or part of the bill. From their point of vew, it makes sense. We are giving them to Ukraine free for nothing, why should Hungary pay? This is a win-win for the current regime. If the US puts up the money, they can declare victory. If the US doesn't, they can claim they "stood on principle" to the anti-US sentiment their political base, which for them is also a "win".

Jens Stoltenberg is on record saying he expects Sweden to join NATO in July, suggesting Turkey will do the needful. We shall see, but this move to block an arms sale certainly shows seriousness about making it happen by then.

Stoltenberg may or may not have a commitment from Turkey, but I would bet he does not. https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-e...ato-hopes/ You are correct, we shall see. On top of that, what is "true" today may not be true on July 11 in Vilnius.

[Goose]

No arms for you Hungary, until you approve Sweden to join NATO:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-sena...023-06-14/

I don't buy Hungary's act for a minute. Of course they want HIMARS.

Indeed they do, but they can't afford it. Their financial problems with the EU are ongoing. They probably want the US to foot all or part of the bill. From their point of vew, it makes sense. We are giving them to Ukraine free for nothing, why should Hungary pay? This is a win-win for the current regime. If the US puts up the money, they can declare victory. If the US doesn't, they can claim they "stood on principle" to the anti-US sentiment their political base, which for them is also a "win".

Jens Stoltenberg is on record saying he expects Sweden to join NATO in July, suggesting Turkey will do the needful. We shall see, but this move to block an arms sale certainly shows seriousness about making it happen by then.

Stoltenberg may or may not have a commitment from Turkey, but I would bet he does not. https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-e...ato-hopes/ You are correct, we shall see. On top of that, what is "true" today may not be true on July 11 in Vilnius.