ON the 7th of July, the future of Sweden’s NATO membership will be spelled anew as Hungary will vote on the matter just four days before the bloc’s scheduled summit in Vilnius.
Although no exact date was mentioned, Hungary is expected to vote on Sweden’s accession by the 7th of July, when the Hungarian parliament’s spring session will end.
Hungary and its fellow NATO member Turkiye were the only two remaining countries out of the 30-member alliance that is yet to ratify Finland’s membership this year.
For any new member to join NATO, all of its members must agree unanimously, including Hungary and Turkiye.
On Wednesday, US Republican senator James Risch reportedly blocked a $735-million (679 million-euro) sale of arms including HIMARS missile launchers to Hungary over its refusal in approving Sweden’s bid to join NATO.
Hungary’s Ministry of Defense however dismissed the move, saying the country has no intention of purchasing a HIMARS missile system.
Turkish and Swedish officials met in Ankara on Wednesday for last-minute negotiations in the hope that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will soften his stance on the matter.
Erdogan however dismissed increasing international pressure on Turkiye to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership unless efforts will be made to prevent anti-Turkey protests in Stockholm.
