The acceptance of Finland and Sweden into the NATO defence alliance has hit a hurdle after Turkey threatened to block the two nations joining due to their perceived ties with and tolerance of the Kurdish militant group the Kurdistan Worker's Party, the PKK.
Finland and Sweden are looking to join the NATO alliance as soon as possible as extra-defence against Russia following their brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, however, both nations have a tolerant view of the PKK which has fought a long-internal war with Turkey as a means of achieving an independent Kurdistan.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that it would be 'unacceptable and outrageous' if Sweden and Finland were accepted to NATO while harbouring members and having sympathy for the PKK.
Turkey has maintained close ties with both Ukraine and Russia following the war and while it has provided arms to Ukraine, including highly successful drones, it has not like its Western allies imposed sanctions on Russia. Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia have also taken place on Turkish soil.
NATO's Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoana said of Turkey's concerns:
"Turkey is an important ally and expressed concerns that are addressed between friends and allies. I am confident if these countries decide to seek membership in NATO we will be able to welcome them, to find all conditions for consensus to be met."
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said that she believes that such hurdles and objections from Turkey will be overcome, and that Finland and Sweden will promptly gain NATO membership. She said:
"Germany has prepared everything to do a quick ratification process. We must make sure that we will give them security guarantees, there must not be a transition period, a grey zone, where their status is unclear."
Earlier this week, the UK signed a treaty with both Sweden and Finland saying the UK would come to the defence of Finland and Sweden regardless of whether they were or were not NATO members.
[Based on reporting by: Reuters]
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