Sweden

NATO summit starts with Ukraine seeking path to join alliance

By Laura Barrón-López, Tess Conciatori

The NATO leadership summit began Tuesday with President Biden and allies meeting to discuss Ukraine’s security, new defense plans and a recommitment to unity against Russian aggression. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports from the summit site in Vilnius, Lithuania.

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Zelensky calls NATO plan for Ukraine membership ‘absurd’

By Chris Megerian, Seung Min Kim, Associated Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is blasting as "absurd" the lack of a timetable for his country to become a member of NATO.

U.S. ambassador to NATO discusses future of alliance ahead of crucial summit

By Laura Barrón-López, Dan Sagalyn, Tess Conciatori

Turkey's president said he would put Sweden's bid for NATO membership before the Turkish parliament. Erdogan had insisted Sweden needed to first crack down on Kurdish militants who have sought refuge in Scandinavia. It comes as leaders from NATO's 31…

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Turkey agrees to send Sweden’s NATO accession protocol to Parliament swiftly

By Karl Ritter, Suzan Fraser, Associated Press

Stoltenberg made the announcement after talks with Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on the eve of a NATO summit in Lithuania.

War in Ukraine, defense spending, potential memberships on the agenda at NATO summit

By Associated Press

The focus will be what to do about Ukraine's future membership of NATO, and the security guarantees the country might need to ensure that Russia doesn’t invade again after the war is over.

Erdogan proposes letting Sweden join NATO in exchange for a path for Turkey to join the EU

By Ken Ritter, Suzan Fraser, Associated Press

Turkey is a candidate to join the EU, but democratic backsliding, disputes with EU-member Cyprus and other issues have held up its progress toward membership in the 27-nation bloc.

WATCH: Swedish admission to NATO ‘making progress,’ alliance head Stoltenberg says

By Lorne Cook, Associated Press

Sweden gave up a history of non-alignment to apply to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

Quran burning leaves Sweden torn between free speech and respecting minorities

By Karl Ritter, Jan M. Olsen, Associated Press

A Quran burning and requests to approve the destruction of more holy books have left Sweden torn between its commitment to free speech and respect for religious minorities.

WATCH: Biden supports Sweden’s NATO bid, hosting prime minister at the White House

By Aamer Madhani, Chris Megerian, Associated Press

Sweden and neighbor Finland ended their longstanding policy of military nonalignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Both applied for NATO membership, but Sweden's admission has been held up by Turkey and Hungary.

What are the last steps for Finland’s NATO membership?

By Associated Press

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says Finland will officially join the military alliance on Tuesday. The green light comes days after Turkey's parliament endorsed Finland's accession.