NATO has announced that Finland, Sweden, and Turkey plan to hold talks on approving their membership before the July summit, as everyone awaits the next steps in Vilnius. The goal is to align on a clear path forward and ensure a smooth review process ahead of the gathering.
Representatives from Turkey, Sweden, and Finland have focused on the concrete measures already set out under the tripartite memorandum. The parties agreed to keep working within this framework and to reconvene for another discussion prior to the Vilnius summit, ensuring ongoing coordination and accountability.
Previously, Szalay-Bobrovnitsky, the head of Hungary’s defense ministry, noted that during discussions with Swedish and Finnish counterparts, Budapest signaled its support for inviting Stockholm and Helsinki to join the North Atlantic alliance. The defense leadership emphasized that while Hungary regards these two nations as allies, it also expects stronger reciprocity and mutual respect in the partnership.
The ongoing dialogue underscores a broader regional dynamic where allied states are balancing mutual commitments with expectations of steadfast cooperation. As the trimillion-strong alliance moves toward consensus, the focus remains on transparent processes, timely decisions, and the practical steps needed to integrate new members in a way that strengthens collective security across North America and Europe.