Sweden announced today that it will allow the export of weapons to Turkey.
The decision means Sweden, which has applied for NATO membership along with neighboring Finland, will lift an arms embargo imposed by Ankara in 2019 following Turkey’s military operation against Kurdish police.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to block the two Nordic countries from joining NATO, insisting they change their stance on Kurdish rebel groups Turkey considers terrorist and lift the arms embargo on Turkey. NATO acts by consensus, so Turkey’s approval is necessary.
The Swedish delegation in Ankara is expected to discuss Turkey’s demands for the extradition of persons wanted by Turkey next week.