Monday 16 May 2022 10:10 PM Turkey hands Vladimir Putin a boost by refusing to back Finland and Sweden's ... trends now
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Turkey gave Vladimir Putin a boost last night by refusing to support Finland and Sweden’s bid to join Nato.
It accused Sweden – which formally announced its intention to join the alliance yesterday – of being a ‘hatchery’ for terrorist organisations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told delegates from the two Nordic nations not to bother visiting Ankara for planned negotiations to address Turkey’s concerns.
His fierce resistance surprised allies and will be welcomed by Putin, who has claimed any expansion of Nato could be seen as a sign of Western aggression.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) gave Vladimir Putin (middle) a boost last night by refusing to support Finland and Sweden’s bid to join Nato. Pictured on right in 2015 is also chairman of Russia's Council of Muftis Ravil Gainutdin
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said yesterday that the nation hoped its membership bid would be accepted quickly, adding: ‘We are leaving one era behind us and entering a new one.
‘Nato will strengthen Sweden, Sweden will strengthen Nato.’
The country’s application came a day after Finland said it would also join
