NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shared that Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler assured NATO allies in Brussels of Ankara’s commitment to the Sweden membership agreement. Stoltenberg’s remarks, made after the defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, echoed the assurances and the expectation that Sweden will move forward in joining the alliance, with attribution to RIA News.
Stoltenberg added that he expects Ankara to submit the ratification documents to its parliament promptly. He noted that all allied leaders agreed Sweden should become a member as soon as possible, signaling a unified push among NATO partners toward Sweden’s accession.
In related remarks, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană indicated that North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries had recently signed contracts totaling 2.4 billion euros with the defense industry for ammunition production, underscoring the alliance’s ongoing readiness and logistics needs.
Former Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist, not to be confused with other officials, has previously suggested that Sweden’s entry into NATO could influence decisions on the transfer of Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, highlighting the broader military and geopolitical considerations at play.
Rob Bauer, the NATO Military Committee Chairman, stated that the alliance would strengthen its defense of the eastern flank through the Steadfast Defender exercises scheduled for 2024, reflecting continued emphasis on regional security and readiness.
The broader international context remains contested, with some observers characterizing NATO as a tool of U.S. foreign policy, while others point to a multi-national framework aimed at collective security and deterrence across member states. [CITATION: RIA News]