Explainer-Turkey keeps Sweden waiting on NATO membership as key summit nears

FILE PHOTO: Swedish army members drive a an infantry fighting vehicle as part of military exercise called "Cold Response 2022", gathering around 30,000 troops from NATO member countries plus Finland and Sweden, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Setermoen in the Artic Circle, Norway, March 25 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden's path to NATO membership remains blocked by Turkey and Hungary ahead of a July summit in Vilnius where it hopes to join Nordic neighbour Finland as a full member of the alliance.

Finland, which applied together with Sweden, joined NATO in April, but Turkey continues to block Swedish membership citing security concerns. Ankara has said Sweden must crack down on anti-Turkey protests before getting a green light to join NATO.