Sweden’s NATO bid hinges on decision from Turkey

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey informed the press that the Turkish parliament, overseeing Stockholm’s actions, will be responsible for determining Sweden’s NATO membership status. A recent point of contention is the series of protests in Sweden and Denmark during with Qur’ans were burned or damaged.

According to Russian News Agency TASS, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been quoted saying “First of all, Sweden has to control the streets of Stockholm. If they [the Swedish authorities] do not do this, if the attacks on our holy shrine continue, then they should not be offended [that Turkey does not approve its NATO bid].”

Swedish authorities however, have leveled their own accusations against Russia for orchestrating disinformation campaigns in Arabic to manipulate global perceptions of Qur’an burnings, and that this activity is suspected to form a part of Russia’s efforts to disrupt Sweden’s ongoing NATO membership approval process.

Sweden has been waiting for approval for its application to join the military alliance since last year. Finland, which applied at the same time, was able to join this year. Previously, Turkey had also claimed to oppose Sweden’s bid due to Sweden’s lack of opposition against the designated terrorist organization the Kurdistan Workers Party.