Biden to Meet With Leaders From Finland, Sweden Ahead of Bid to Join NATO
National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaking at the White House Wednesday.EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS
Jake Sullivan, President Biden's national security adviser, said a visit Thursday to the White House from leaders of Sweden and Finland is expected to help pave the way for the two non-aligned Nordic countries to join the NATO military alliance.
"Two nations with a long tradition of neutrality will be joining the world's most powerful defensive alliance,” Mr. Sullivan said. “They will bring with them strong capabilities and a proven track record as security partners."
Mr. Sullivan said Mr. Biden, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and President Sauli Niinistö of Finland would discuss a path forward and compare notes on efforts to support Ukraine.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he isn’t in favor of Sweden and Finland joining NATO due to the presence of alleged Kurdish militants in the two countries. Turkish officials have in recent days demanded that the Nordic countries crack down on networks they claim are connected to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group that has waged a long-running insurgency against the Turkish state and is labeled a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the U.S.
Asked about the response from Turkey to the applications, Mr. Sullivan said: "Turkey's concerns can be addressed."
He said U.S. officials were in touch with Turkish counterparts on the issue. "We feel very good about where this will track to, and President Biden will express that confidence," he said.
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