Finland’s top diplomat hints at joining NATO without Sweden

By JARI TANNER and KARL RITTER
Associated Press

HELSINKI (AP) — Finland’s foreign minister has suggested that the country may consider joining NATO without neighboring Sweden if Turkey continues to block their joint bid to enter the military alliance. The minister later backpedaled, but his comments were the first time a leading government official in either Nordic country appeared to raise doubts about becoming NATO members together. That comes at a time when the alliance is seeking to present a united front in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO needs the approval of all existing members, including Turkey. Ankara has so far blocked the expansion, saying Sweden in particular needs to crack down on exiled Kurdish militants and their sympathizers.