Erdogan’s unexpected move: Is Sweden finally joining NATO?

In a move that has rocked international politics, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a dramatic step towards ending the prolonged 17-month deadlock by officially submitting Sweden’s NATO membership application to the Turkish parliament. The world was on edge as it monitored this crucial decision, “Sweden’s NATO membership protocol was signed on October 23, 2023 by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and dispatched to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey,” an official announcement from the presidency was shared on X, the platform that has replaced Twitter.

NATO Dynamics & The Final Hurdles

Currently, Turkey and Hungary stand as the last two NATO barriers withholding Sweden’s dream of alliance membership. The intrigue grows as Sweden, deviating from its historical policy of non-alignment, took the bold step of approaching NATO following Russia’s aggressive incursion into Ukraine.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed elation, hinting at the positivity this brings, “Welcome that President Erdoğan signed Sweden’s ratification protocol to NATO and submitted it to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. Parliamentary procedures will now commence. We are enthusiastically awaiting our NATO membership,” he declared on X.

NATO Chief Gives His Nod

The drama doesn’t end there! NATO’s head honcho, Jens Stoltenberg, joined the discourse, voicing his excitement and anticipation for Sweden’s prospective entry into the NATO fold. “I eagerly await President Erdogan’s signature finalizing Sweden’s accession protocol and its prompt referral to the Grand National Assembly. I eagerly anticipate the swift vote for ratification and envision welcoming Sweden as an integral NATO ally in no time,” Stoltenberg exclaimed.

Erdogan’s decision came after mounting pressures and promises made during a pivotal NATO summit in Vilnius back in July, where he pledged to set Sweden’s membership aspirations before the Turkish legislative body.

Geopolitical Twists and Turns

As tensions flare, it’s essential to note that Finland, Sweden’s next-door neighbor sharing a boundary with Russia, secured its NATO membership just this April. But why the delay for Sweden? Erdogan’s hesitation stems from multiple controversies, notably the Quran desecration incidents in Sweden. The rift deepens as Turkey accuses Sweden of providing a safe haven for proscribed Kurdish militants, clamoring for their extradition.