[Goose]

Sweden NATO update:

Stoltenberg had a presser today touting meeting between Sweden, Finland, and Turkey security officials that reportedly made good progress. Said the leaders of Sweden and Turkey will have a joint meeting on Monday to try hammering out any remaining differences. He reiterated the goal is to get Sweden's NATO membership approved by vote at Vilnius next week, acknowledging it will take longer for governments to ratify its accession.

I found it most interesting that Stoltenberg not very subtly pointed out the "anti-muslim" activities in Sweden were fomented by Russia, which is not even a little hard to believe true. He basically said look who doesn't want Sweden in NATO, and you'll know who is behind that. 

It's the first time I've heard Stoltenberg talk about PKK terrorism threatening Turkey and other NATO countries - that Sweden has been soft on according to Turkey - in such stark terms. I'm optimistic a deal will be reached next week.

I hope it will too. The US is really pushing hard as well. However, while a "deal" may be reached next week, it is impossible for the respective legislatures of Hungary and Türkiye to vote on it by then. Until that happens, the deal isn't "done". FWIW I also wouldn't be surprised if Erdoğan still says no. He doesn't like to appear to be "giving in" and how this is going down could be construed as doing that. He has also shown caution regarding Sweden's willingness to do what they say. He has been stressing lately Sweden needed to "do what they promised". What he thinks they promised probably doesn't match what Sweden thinks they promised. He is also very leery of the US administration to deliver the F-16s "as promised" given the problems that exist in Congress. He may be unwilling to surrender leverage until he has things approved all the way through the delivery chain, even if he has "agreed". It isn't over until the vote is in.

[Goose]

Sweden NATO update:

Stoltenberg had a presser today touting meeting between Sweden, Finland, and Turkey security officials that reportedly made good progress. Said the leaders of Sweden and Turkey will have a joint meeting on Monday to try hammering out any remaining differences. He reiterated the goal is to get Sweden's NATO membership approved by vote at Vilnius next week, acknowledging it will take longer for governments to ratify its accession.

I found it most interesting that Stoltenberg not very subtly pointed out the "anti-muslim" activities in Sweden were fomented by Russia, which is not even a little hard to believe true. He basically said look who doesn't want Sweden in NATO, and you'll know who is behind that. 

It's the first time I've heard Stoltenberg talk about PKK terrorism threatening Turkey and other NATO countries - that Sweden has been soft on according to Turkey - in such stark terms. I'm optimistic a deal will be reached next week.

I hope it will too. The US is really pushing hard as well. However, while a "deal" may be reached next week, it is impossible for the respective legislatures of Hungary and Türkiye to vote on it by then. Until that happens, the deal isn't "done". FWIW I also wouldn't be surprised if Erdoğan still says no. He doesn't like to appear to be "giving in" and how this is going down could be construed as doing that. He has also shown caution regarding Sweden's willingness to do what they say. He has been stressing lately Sweden needed to "do what they promised". What he thinks they promised probably doesn't match what Sweden thinks they promised. He is also very leery of the US administration to deliver the F-16s "as promised" given the problems that exist in Congress. He may be unwilling to surrender leverage until he has things approved all the way through the delivery chain, even if he has "agreed". It isn't over until the vote is in.