Ghana Says Western Support Growing for Slave Trade Reparations 
US Invites Putin to Miami G20, Opening Door to Trump Summit 
EU Defence Build-Up Too Slow for 2030 Russia Readiness Goal 
Netanyahu Defends Israel at UN as Delegates Stage Walkout 
Judge Orders Trump to Restore White House Access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico 
Netanyahu’s Brief US Trip Highlights Strains With Trump 
France Defends Netanyahu Airspace Clearance Despite ICC Warrant 
NATO Boosts Intelligence Sharing Amid Russia Hybrid Threats 
Gaza Faces Evacuation Crisis as War-Damaged Buildings Risk Collapse 
Mexico-US Trade Talks Delayed to October as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
Russian Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv Kills Two, Damages Maternity Hospital 
North Korea Warns South Korea Over US-Led Defense Role 
Pezeshkian Says US Must Choose When Iran War Ends 
South Korea, US Discuss Warship Building Cooperation 
Netanyahu Takes Aim at Mamdani as Israel Election Nears 
Russian Envoy Dmitriev Heads to US for Ukraine Talks 
US Backs Musk in Fight Against EU’s €120 Million X Fine 
Add as a preferred source on Google
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington is looking forward to Sweden becoming a member of the NATO alliance by the summit in July. Austin added that the US would further encourage Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden’s membership.
During a visit to Sweden on Wednesday, Austin said the United States is looking forward to Sweden becoming a NATO country by the time the alliance meets for its annual summit in July. Austin added that Washington will also encourage Ankara and Budapest to ratify Sweden’s membership, as both countries have yet to do so, expressing grievances toward Stockholm.
Sweden and Finland jointly applied for NATO membership last year as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, both countries ran into objections from Turkey, which has accused Sweden of harboring members of what it calls terrorist groups. Finland’s application was ratified first, becoming the 31st member of the alliance.
“We look forward to soon welcoming Turkey as the 32nd. To be clear, we look forward to that to happen before the summit in July,” said Austin in a news conference. “We encourage our allies, Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden’s accession as soon as possible.”
Austin visited Sweden to meet with his counterpart Pal Jonson about the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as Sweden’s NATO application. Austin’s visit also included a tour of Sweden’s underground base in Musko. Jonson said Austin’s visit was a sign of Washington’s commitment to Sweden’s security on a “bilateral basis” and was an opportunity for Sweden to show its military capabilities.
Finland became the alliance’s 31st member earlier this month, marking a shift in its long-running stance of neutrality despite threats from Russia. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Helsinki’s accession during the week was “historic” while expressing hope that Sweden could be a member as soon as possible.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, and defense minister Antti Kaikkonen were in attendance as Finland’s flag was raised alongside all the alliance’s member countries.
“It is a historic moment for us,” said Haavisto in a statement. “For Finland, the most important objective at the meeting will be to emphasize NATO’s support to Ukraine as Russia continues its illegal aggression. We seek to promote stability and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic region.”
