01 Sep 2026
Expert explains what Turkey gained in delaying Sweden's NATO bid
The Turkish parliament voted 287 to 55 to approve Sweden's NATO membership bid on Tuesday, bringing the Nordic country one step closer to joining the military alliance.
Varuzhan Geghamyan, a Yerevan-based expert on the Middle East and the South Caucasus, says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is likely to sign the ratification in a short period of time.
Sweden applied to join NATO in the spring of 2022 after the outbreak of the Ukraine war. Turkey, as a member of the alliance, delayed the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership for nearly two years.
“During the past two years, Turkey got the most out of this simple situation," Geghamyan wrote on Telegram on Wednesday.
"And what did Turkey gain? Below are Ankara's main achievements:
1. Ankara enhanced its role in NATO.
2. Due to the ratification delays, Ankara gained the opportunity to maneuver in relations with Russia, "selling" its temporary position on Sweden to the latter.
3. Turkey forced the U.S. to restart negotiations on the supply of advanced military technologies frozen since 2018.
4. It significantly restricted and complicated the activities of Kurdish forces in Sweden and throughout Europe.
In short, it was a diplomatic and political master class," the expert said.
Latest news
Latest newsRomania Faces Political Deadlock: Nicusor Dan Moves to Form a New Government
01.Sep.2026
Pashinyan Meets Aliyev in Bishkek: Armenia and Azerbaijan Prepare for a New Stage in the Peace Process
01.Sep.2026
Ukraine Plans to Present Allies with a New War Strategy and Seek Early EU Funding
31.Aug.2026
The Mecca Pact — Protection or a Trap for Turkiye?
30.Aug.2026
Tigran Khzmalyan: Armenia must make a Decisive Choice in Favor of Europe
30.Aug.2026
Bulgaria to Strengthen Its Black Sea Fleet: Sofia to Receive Seven Minehunter Vessels
29.Aug.2026
Russia Intensifies Strikes on Ukraine’s Infrastructure, Targeting Warehouses and Logistics Hubs
28.Aug.2026
A New Economic Framework for Central Asia and the Caucasus: The Role of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan
28.Aug.2026
Moscow Warns London: Russia Considers Strikes on British Military Targets
27.Aug.2026
Kazakhstan Launches a New Economic Strategy: GDP Growth, Investment and Pension Reform
27.Aug.2026
CIA Director Visits Moscow: Trump Hopes for Results
26.Aug.2026
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Warns of Risk of Gradual Defeat in War with Russia
25.Aug.2026
Putin Authorizes Temporary State Management of Critical Infrastructure Vulnerable to Drone Attacks
24.Aug.2026
The United States Rapidly Expands Missile Production: Pentagon Accelerates Output of Tomahawks and Other Critical Weapons
24.Aug.2026
Record Supplies: Armenia Boosts Fish Exports to Georgia
23.Aug.2026