Johan Ahlander & Simon Johnson

STOCKHOLM /Reuters -Sweden will formally submit for NATO membership in the coming days, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced Monday. But, due to Turkey’s refusal to approve both bids, it and Finland ran into a snag.

Each of NATO’s thirty members must approve the applications of Sweden and Finland. Ratification was supposed to take around a year. However, Turkey’s objections have made this impossible.

Turkish President Tayyip Turkey said at a press conference that Finland and Sweden shouldn’t bother going to Ankara with delegations in an effort to get support from Turkey for their bids.

Erdogan declared that “none of these countries has a clear and open attitude toward terrorist organisations.” They are “how can we trust them.”

He described Sweden as a “hatchery for terrorist organizations with terrorists in Parliament.”

Russia’s attack on Ukraine shakes up Europe’s security infrastructure and forces Sweden and Finland, who stayed out of NATO’s U.S.-led alliance during Cold War, to take sides.

The Social Democrat government of Sweden, concerned about the vulnerability of its country while it is being considered for membership, had hoped for a speedy ratification.

Although NATO leaders originally hoped Turkey would not delay the process, Turkey now appears to be a serious problem.

Ann Linde, the spokesperson of Sweden’s Foreign Minister (NYSE:), declined to comment.

HISTORIC DECISION

Finland and Sweden’s decision to join NATO put the countries on a path towards ending their policies of military alignment that have shaped their defense strategies ever since the Cold War.

Andersson stated that “We are leaving one age behind and entering into a new one,” at a Monday news conference.

According to her, Sweden could submit its application in the next few days. Then it would be synchronized with Finland.

She said that NATO would strengthen Sweden while Sweden would strengthen NATO.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a major shift in perceptions in the Nordic Region has led to the abandonment of the principle of military non-alignment.

Andersson indicated that Sweden would not like permanent NATO bases and nuclear weapons to be located on its territory in the event of its approval for membership.

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded mildly to the decision, saying that Russia had no issues with Sweden or Finland expanding their borders.

But he did accuse the United States, however, of using the enlargement as an “aggressive way” to aggrave an already complicated global security situation. Russia will respond to any move by the alliance of weapons and troops.

General Micael Bryden, Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces stated that the military strategic decision to apply was correct and that it would be simpler for Sweden to defend itself unilaterally or with the help of other countries if Sweden were part of NATO.

According to my contacts and my relations with my counterparts, “I am certain that Sweden is now welcome within NATO.” Byden stated that we are more than welcome. He also said that Sweden, as a member of NATO, makes NATO stronger.

Sweden was assured support by the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Germany. But, these assurances were not legally binding.

On Monday, Nordic neighbors Denmark, Norway, and Iceland pledged their support in a joint statement.

Moscow describes the Ukrainian invasion as “special military operation” that aims to eliminate fascists in Ukraine. Kyiv, along with its allies, claim this is an absurd pretext for a unprovoked conflict.