2024-02-19 22:49:43
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said today he expects to meet Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán and Sweden to join NATO after Hungary signaled this month it could ratify the Scandinavian country’s bid to join, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
“This week we talked several times,” Kristershon told a press conference during a visit to Warsaw. “I expect to meet soon and for Sweden to become a member state of NATO,” he added.
Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán said last week that parliament could ratify Sweden’s bid during its spring session later this month.
Hungary is the only country that has not yet ratified Sweden’s membership in NATO, where a total of 31 countries participate.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was “unacceptable” for Hungary to block Sweden’s bid and called for its swift ratification.
“It would be a mistake for a NATO country to block another country from joining NATO,” Tusk said. “Poland and I personally will be ready to give full support in this matter,” he added.
Sweden applied for NATO membership almost two years ago, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.