Biden talks NATO with Sweden, Finland

President Joe Biden said Sweden and Finland meet every requirement and it would be strategic to have them as members of NATO. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and President Sauli Niinistö of Finland met with Biden at the White House on Thursday. The countries officially applied to join NATO in response to Russian aggression in Europe. Biden said he would recommend that the U.S. Senate approve their membership.

Is Turkey still opposed? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a video Thursday that he remains against Sweden and Finland’s membership. Erdoğan has said Turkey’s objection stems from grievances with Sweden’s — and to a lesser degree Finland’s — perceived support of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Conflict with the party has killed tens of thousands since 1984. Each of NATO’s 30 member countries have veto power. Sweden and Finland have said they are reaching out to Turkey and other nations to try to discuss the concerns.

Dig deeper: Read William Inboden’s column for WORLD Opinions on how Russia’s invasion is reshaping the geopolitical order.