Today, Tuesday, NATO began the process of Sweden and Finland joining its ranks to organize a defense line extending from the North Pole to the Mediterranean against Russia, but the integration of the two northern countries remains subject to Ankara’s will.
“The signing of accession protocols launches the ratification process in each of the member states,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced before the ambassadors of the member states of the alliance signed these protocols during a ceremony held at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
“I am counting on allies for a quick validation process,” he said.
He noted during a press conference with the Foreign Ministers of Sweden and Finland Ann Linde and Pekka Haavisto, “The process lasted (with North Macedonia) 12 months.”
“Many allies are preparing to ratify as soon as possible, but it will take several months,” he added.
Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaia Kallas announced that her country will begin the ratification process on Wednesday.
“The government estimates that the process may take a year,” said Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersen.
Turkey agreed to launch this process during the summit of NATO leaders in Madrid, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reminded the two northern countries of the conditions that must be met.