“Many of us hoped to see these two countries join us in Madrid when invited to the table with other leaders. We don’t know if that will happen.”
The United States is working behind closed doors to address Turkey’s concerns about the possible accession of Finland and Sweden to the alliance, Smith said.
The Madrid Summit is scheduled for 28-30 June. It includes discussions on the status of NATO forces and support for Ukraine, Smith added.
June 12 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the decisions of Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership are historic.
“You have long been our closest partners. You have strong democracies with capable armies. And your membership in NATO will increase our common security,” Stoltenberg said under joint pressure with the President of the Republic. Sauli Niinistö.
“Finland’s and Sweden’s membership in NATO would further strengthen the Nordic region of our alliance. And now the allies are considering the next steps on their way to NATO,” he added.
NATO defense ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels on 15-16 June. June. The EU, Georgia, Finland, Sweden and Ukraine have been invited to the event.
Source: ANI
Source: The Nordic Page