Sweden’s NATO application – Kristersson open to meeting with Orban Hamas defends massacre as a “normal reaction” – revelations about ex-hostages’ shock

In the battle for approval for Sweden’s accession to NATO, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson initially promised his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban a meeting in Brussels.

Responding to Orbán’s invitation for negotiations in Hungary, the Swedish leader wrote on Thursday that he also believed that an intensified political dialogue between the two countries would be beneficial. He mentioned cooperation on Swedish Gripen fighter jets, the EU and cooperation as NATO allies as common themes.

“I look forward to discussing all these matters in more detail with you in Budapest at a time that suits us both,” Kristersson wrote. “We will also have the opportunity to meet at the important European Council in Brussels on February 1.”

Orban sent Kristersson a letter on Tuesday. In it, Orban had explained on the online platform X that he had invited him to visit Hungary to ‘negotiate’ its accession to NATO.

On Tuesday evening, the Turkish parliament gave its long-awaited approval to the Scandinavian EU country’s NATO application. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan must now sign Turkey’s ratification of the so-called accession protocol. If he does this quickly, all Sweden needs to do is be admitted to the defense alliance through Hungary’s ratification.

Orbán claimed on Wednesday that his government supports Sweden’s NATO membership. The Hungarian parliament will be urged to vote in favor of accession and complete ratification “at the earliest possible opportunity”. However, he did not give a specific date. Kristersson wrote that the completion of the ratification process in the Hungarian Parliament will provide a solid basis for advancing the bilateral relationship and strengthen mutual understanding and trust. (saw/sda/dpa)