Erdoğan finalizes ratification of Sweden's NATO bid

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has officially approved Sweden's entry into NATO with a formal decree, capping off a process that began with parliamentary approval for the Nordic country's bid.

"With this, a key milestone has been reached in Sweden's path towards NATO membership," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on X, welcoming Türkiye's move.

The Turkish parliament greenlit Sweden's entry in a vote held on Jan. 23, after more than a year and a half of delays.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also voiced support for Ankara's endorsement, stating on X, "We welcome Turkish President Erdoğan's signature of the Articles of Ratification for Sweden's NATO membership. We look forward to receiving the instruments in Washington and welcoming Sweden as NATO's 32nd Ally. Sweden and the Alliance are stronger together."

The formal endorsement of Sweden's membership by the parliament and Erdoğan's subsequent decree were published in the country's official gazette, marking the conclusion of the ratification process within Türkiye.

Pentagon deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh lauded Ankara's approval of Sweden's accession, emphasizing the strengthening effect it would have on the alliance. She also underscored the "message of unity it sends in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine."

Singh, however, refrained from addressing queries regarding the Pentagon's involvement in the U.S. Congressional debate over the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye. "I'd prefer that you point out that Türkiye, of course, is a key ally and we are working on a solution to provide F-16s," she said.

Erdoğan also tied the ratification to Türkiye's aspiration to procure F-16 fighter jets from the United States. Ankara has...