Brussels: Thirty NATO allies today

signed the accession protocols that have moved Finland and Sweden a step closer to joining the alliance.

In the wake of the February invasion of neighboring Ukraine and the ensuing military conflict, the move has fueled efforts to strategically isolate Russia.

“This is truly a historic moment for Finland, Sweden and NATO,” said Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s secretary general.

The alliance made the historic decision to invite Russia’s neighbors Finland and Sweden to join the military club. Despite the agreement in the alliance, member Turkey could still create difficulties in the final inclusion of Sweden and Finland in NATO.

Last week, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that if both countries fully complied with Turkey’s demand for the extradition of suspected Kurdish groups or suspected terrorists linked to the cleric’s network, who were expelled from the country in 2016 for a failed coup.

This is a hurdle for Sweden and Finland as they will need the formal approval of all 30 member states to finalize the process of joining NATO.

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