Sweden’s government said on Sunday that a diplomatic delegation will travel to Turkiye to discuss the Scandinavian country’s decision to apply for NATO membership.
The group will visit Turkiye, according to Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde, who also stated that it will be sent to Ankara soon to assess the ruling Social Democratic Party’s plan to join NATO.
In assessing Russia’s response to Sweden’s NATO membership application, Linde stated that Russia “violated our confluence area” and conducted disinformation efforts claiming that Swedish citizens are Nazis.
She predicted a rise in cyberattacks, as well as movement on the border.
The cabinet of the Social Democratic Party agreed to apply for NATO membership on Saturday. Sweden’s right-wing parties in parliament have supported this move.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who met with Linde at an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in the German capital Berlin over the weekend, said Sweden and Finland openly support the PKK/YPG terrorist organization.
Earlier, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said this would be the best decision for Sweden’s security.
After the decision is discussed in parliament on Monday, Sweden and Finland are expected to formally apply together for membership by Wednesday at the latest.