"Orban Urges Swift Approval for Sweden's NATO Bid as US Pushes F-16 Sale to Turkey"

Hungary's parliamentary speaker, Laszlo Kover, stated that there is no urgency in approving Sweden's NATO membership bid, despite Turkey's recent ratification. The Hungarian parliament has yet to vote on the bid, which has been stalled since mid-2022. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed support for Sweden's accession, but Kover, a founding member of Orban's ruling Fidesz, indicated that he personally does not support it. The delay has raised concerns, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urging Hungary to ratify Sweden's NATO accession, and the U.S. ambassador to Turkey anticipating Erdogan's approval, potentially triggering a sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara.