Enlargement of NATO

As Sweden edges toward formal NATO membership, the nation's involvement in the alliance's extensive military maneuvers underscores its evolving defense ties. Joined by Finland, the region embarks on the "Nordic Response 2024" exercises, marking a significant step towards bolstering collective security in Northern Europe.

Dr. Neil Melvin, the director of international security at Britain's Royal Joint Services Institute, has described Sweden's decision to join NATO as a "dramatic and historic change" with significant implications for Baltic security dynamics.

In a historic move underscoring shifting geopolitical dynamics, the Hungarian Parliament has ratified Sweden's accession to NATO, marking the final approval needed among the 31 member states for the Scandinavian nation's entry into the alliance.

Hungary's ruling Fidesz party has announced its intention to approve Sweden's NATO membership, marking a significant step in Stockholm's bid to join the defense alliance. The decision, reported by Reuters and the Financial Times, comes after Hungary's long-awaited endorsement, resolving a diplomatic standoff that delayed Sweden's accession to NATO.

Türkiye expects to receive the draft offer and acceptance letters for the procurement of F-16 fighter jets from the United States by the end of this month, according to defense sources.

The Turkish Parliament has passed a bill on the approval of the ratification of the protocol on Sweden's accession to NATO on Tuesday.

After a parliamentary session that lasted about 4 hours, the bill was approved by 287 out of 346 members of parliament who participated in the vote.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Istanbul, his first of nine stops during a week-long trip, Friday afternoon.

Next stop for Blinken will be Hania, Crete, where he will meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Saturday.

He added that it is up to official Belgrade to decide in which direction and in what way it wants to develop partnership with that association.

As the parliamentary debates on ministerial budgets reach a conclusion, the looming issue of Sweden's bid to join NATO has taken center stage in Türkiye's political arena.

Finland on Monday has signed an agreement to enhance military cooperation with the United States, saying it saw a long-term threat from Russia, a day after its giant neighbor issued a warning over Helsinki's recent entrance into NATO.