Why Turkey doesn't want Finland, Sweden to join NATO and why it matters

The increasingly autocratic and anti-democratic president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has said he will not agree to the entry of Finland and Sweden in NATO

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, talks during a televised address to the nation following a cabinet teleconference meeting, in Istanbul. Photo: PTI

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is alone among NATO leaders in publicly stating that he is against the two countries’ joining the alliance. (Photo: PTI)

Ronald Suny | The Conversation

4 min read Last Updated : May 23 2022 | 9:43 AM IST

After decades of neutrality, the two Nordic states that have to date remained out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have reacted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by declaring an intention to join the American-led alliance. But there is a major obstacle in their way: Turkey.

The increasingly autocratic and anti-democratic president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has said he will not agree to the entry of these two countries. And as a member of NATO, Turkey’s approval is needed for Finland and Sweden to join.

Erdogan is alone among NATO leaders in publicly stating that he is against the two countries’ joining the alliance.

Harboring terrorists or grudges?