Sweden's plans for NATO membership hit snag as Turkey says no

FILE PHOTO: Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist speaks during a news conference at the military base in Adazi, Latvia April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden will formally apply for NATO membership in the next few days, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Monday, but its accession process, and that of Finland, hit a snag when NATO member Turkey's president said he would not approve either bid.

Sweden and Finland need each of NATO's 30 members to approve their applications. The ratification process had been expected to take up to a year, though Turkey's objections have thrown that into doubt.