Erdogan says Turkey may block Sweden's Nato membership bid

[SouthBayDem]

Source: BBC

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested that Ankara may agree to Finland joining Nato, but not Sweden.

He criticised Sweden's refusal to extradite dozens of people allegedly tied to Kurdish militant groups and other critics of his government.

"If you absolutely want to join Nato, you will return these terrorists to us," said Mr Erdogan.

His comments come days after Turkey suspended talks to accept the two Nordic nations as members.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64446439

[LudwigPastorius]

1. Damn it.

I know Turkey is strategically important to NATO, but playing footsie with dictators always gets you kicked in the balls.

[samsingh]

2. Hungary, nor Turkey should be enjoying membership in Nato

they are weakening the alliance.

[Initech]

16. If they embrace fascism and authoritarianism, they do not belong in NATO.S

Send a message to the fascists!

[tornado34jh]

3. What is the process of removing a country from NATO?

Does it have to be unanimous? But again, we are stuck with several autocratic regimes, not just Turkey and Hungary, but also Russia and Azerbaijan.

[OAITW r.2.0]

4. I'd trade Sweden and Finland for Turkey in a heartbeat.

Erdogan is probably doing Putin's bidding on this. I think the Koran burning was a RW stunt engineered by Putin to get Turket to veto Sweden's entry. I'd call his bluff and take a vote on weather to keep Turkey in NATO. Boot 'em, then vote in Finland and Sweden.

It is, after-all, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Far as I know, Turkey ain't anywhere close to the North Atlantic.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. +100!

I've been to Finland, can't believe that they aren't already a member. And I sure agree with you on Sweden - and Turkey!

[samsingh]

9. me too

[cstanleytech]

5. A compromise. Have Sweden investigate the alleged crimes and if they actually warrant

prosecution and then allow them to be tried and sentenced inside Sweden.
That way if they are truly guilty of a real crime they will be held accountable.

[Raven123]

7. First of all, unless Erdogan agrees to Finland joining, no one should take him seriously.

He may just keep moving the posts. Beyond that, I have no idea how NATO can battle. This within their own rules.

[LiberalFighter]

8. Remove Turkey?

[Kennah]

11. Swap out? I'm good.

[purr-rat beauty]

10. Erdogan is a POS

tell him to pound salt, this is necessary for the safety of Europe

[Initech]

17. Yes, it's way past time to start stomping out fascist authoritarianism!

[Happy Hoosier]

12. We need to start NATO-2.0

It will mysteriously be exactly like NATO, but with Sweden and Finland in it too. Turkey can come, but it doesn't get to veto anyone.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

13. "Nice alliance you got here. Be a shame if anything happened to it."

No wonder strongman Erdogan called TFG twice a week during 2020. They both see extortion as a valid tool to accomplish their nefarious goals.

[henbuck]

15. Kick Turkey out of NATO problem solved.