US President Joe Biden said on Thursday (1st) that Sweden will join NATO “soon”. The comment was made at the US Air Force Academy, days after suggesting a possible deal to overcome Turkey’s opposition to admitting the Nordic country into the alliance.
Biden, in a flag-waving commencement speech in Colorado Springs, Colorado, warned graduates they will enter the service in an increasingly unstable world, citing challenges from Russia and China.
On Monday, Biden spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to congratulate him on his re-election. To reporters Erdogan echoed Ankara’s desire to buy F-16 fighter jets from the United States, while Biden urged Ankara to drop its objection to Sweden’s NATO membership.
Biden said NATO is stronger despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to break the alliance with his invasion of Ukraine. It is further reinforced, he said, by the recent admission of Finland, “and soon, Sweden”. “It will happen, I promise you,” he said, but did not elaborate.
On Monday, Biden said he would speak with Erdogan again soon. NATO’s annual summit will be in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July.
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Turkey to immediately finalize Sweden’s NATO membership, saying the country had already taken significant steps to address Ankara’s objections to its membership.
The White House has denied that Biden is seeking a deal with Turkey to withdraw its opposition in exchange for F16s.
Biden made it clear that the United States would not back down from the challenge posed by China amid deep tensions in the relationship.
“The United States does not seek conflict or confrontation with China. China and the United States must be able to work together where we can to solve some global challenges like the climate,” he said.
“But we are prepared for vigorous competition,” he said, adding that the United States will defend its interests and those of its partners.
The president emphasized US support for Ukraine in the war with Russia. “The American people’s support for Ukraine will not wane,” Biden said.
(Posted by Fabio Mendes)
Source: CNN Brasil
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