Turkey's Erdogan and Sweden's PM Hold Last-Ditch Talks on NATO Bid

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Lithuania before the NATO summit to discuss Sweden's bid to join NATO. Turkey has been resisting Sweden's membership, citing concerns about leniency towards groups Turkey considers terrorists. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed optimism for a positive decision but acknowledged the need to bridge the gap between the two countries' positions. Despite pressures from allies, Erdogan has maintained his objections, demanding further action against Kurdish militant groups. Sweden and Finland jointly applied to NATO, with Finland's accession already ratified by Turkey. Hungary is also holding up approval, but it is expected to follow suit once Turkey lifts its objections.