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Madrid Summit Not a Deadline for Decision on Finland and Sweden’s NATO Bids, Says Turkey

Turkish Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin gives a press conference following talks with Sweden and Finland over their bids to join NATO at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on May 25, 2022. (AFP)
Turkish Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin gives a press conference following talks with Sweden and Finland over their bids to join NATO at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on May 25, 2022. (AFP)
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Madrid Summit Not a Deadline for Decision on Finland and Sweden’s NATO Bids, Says Turkey

Turkish Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin gives a press conference following talks with Sweden and Finland over their bids to join NATO at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on May 25, 2022. (AFP)
Turkish Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin gives a press conference following talks with Sweden and Finland over their bids to join NATO at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on May 25, 2022. (AFP)

A NATO summit in Madrid at the end of June is not a deadline for a decision on Sweden and Finland's membership bids, which are opposed by Turkey, the Turkish president's spokesman said on Saturday.

Sweden and Finland applied to join the Western defense alliance last month in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but their bids have faced resistance from Turkey, which has accused them of supporting Kurdish militants.

While the two Nordic countries have said talks would continue to resolve the dispute, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara had not received any responses to its demands, including stopping support for groups Turkey considers terrorists, lifting arms embargoes on Ankara and extraditing suspects it seeks.

Speaking to the state-run Anadolu news agency during a visit to Madrid, Erdogan's spokesman and chief foreign policy adviser Ibrahim Kalin repeated that progress on the membership bids hinged on how Sweden and Finland respond to Turkish demands.

"We don't see ourselves in a time constraint like the NATO summit," Kalin was cited as saying, adding that while the summit was important in addressing common issues like Russia's invasion of Ukraine and cooperation within the alliance, potential allies have to take steps to alleviate concerns of current members.

"We don't feel like we are under any time pressure like 'let us get this done by the NATO summit'. What is important here is that Sweden and Finland openly, clearly and concretely put forth what kind of steps they will take regarding counter-terrorism," he added.

Any bid to join NATO requires backing from each of its 30 members. Turkey, which has been a NATO ally for over 70 years, has said it will not change its view unless the Nordic countries take "concrete steps" about its concerns.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said during a visit to Washington this week that he would convene senior officials from Finland, Sweden and Turkey in Brussels in coming days to discuss the issue. NATO leaders will convene on June 29-30 in Madrid.

Earlier, Erdogan said NATO was not an organization that could provide protection from terror, citing demonstrations and events organized by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group in allied countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands and Greece, whose envoy to Ankara was summoned over the issue on Friday.

He said Ankara would not "fall for the same mistake" while PKK members "roam free" in Finland and Sweden.

The PKK is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and European Union.

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Washington-Tehran Nuclear Talks Postponed as Iran Reasserts Red Lines

Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
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Washington-Tehran Nuclear Talks Postponed as Iran Reasserts Red Lines

Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)

As diplomatic activity intensified around Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran moved to reestablish firm “red lines” ahead of anticipated talks with the United States next week. On the same day, Russia encouraged both sides to pursue a “fair agreement,” while the European Union urged Iran to help de-escalate regional tensions.

Iranian officials adopted a tough tone, insisting that upcoming negotiations must remain strictly confined to the nuclear issue. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani emphasized that Tehran is committed to diplomacy, but said the US must show genuine goodwill.

“Our red lines are clear. We are only discussing the nuclear file and will remain firm in our rightful stance,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

The talks were originally scheduled for the previous weekend but were postponed due to what Oman’s foreign minister described as “logistical reasons.” The next round—reportedly the fourth—is now expected to take place early next week in Muscat. While Iranian outlet Nournews reported that the talks would resume on Sunday, a source close to the Iranian negotiation team said dates were still under discussion.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, affirming Moscow’s support for a “fair agreement” grounded in international law. According to a Kremlin statement, Russia reiterated its willingness to assist the negotiation process.

Later that day, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had spoken with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging a de-escalation of regional tensions and reaffirming the EU’s commitment to diplomacy. She also raised concerns about Iran’s military support for Russia and the detention of EU citizens.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi echoed those concerns in a separate conversation with Kallas, underscoring the agency’s central role in monitoring nuclear compliance.

In Tehran, former MP Elias Naderan warned against surrendering Iran’s nuclear capabilities, cautioning that Western powers might treat Iran like Libya if it concedes too much. “Sanctions only strengthen resistance,” he said, urging cooperation without compromising national principles.