Stunning Analysis From Former NATO Commander: Will NATO Expel Turkey?

While Turkey’s objections to Swedish and Finnish NATO membership continued, Admiral James Stavridis, NATO’s former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, came from a notable analysis of Turkey.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland took steps to submit an official application to NATO, while the two countries’ accession process was launched thanks to the agreement reached between Turkey, Finland and Sweden in June. However, Turkey has yet to give final approval for NATO not to expand, stating that the two countries have not taken the necessary steps in the fight against terrorism.

As negotiations continue, Turkey’s position as an “irreconcilable ally” in NATO is also controversial in Western countries. Adm. James Stavridis, former US NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, in Bloomberg, “If Turkey blocks Sweden and Finland, will NATO drive Turkey out?” He published an article titled

‘TURKEY WAS DOING EVERYTHING YOU WANTED’

Stating that the two countries’ decision to join NATO was an important stage in the history of the military alliance, but only Turkey prevented this important opportunity, Stavridis said that this silence by Turkey under the leadership of President Tayyip Erdogan was a gift to “war criminal” Putin and it must end now.

Stating that Ankara was the first capital he went to when he took over as NATO commander in 2009, and that Turkey did everything it was asked to contribute to NATO, Stavridis described Erdoğan, whom he met several times, as a “very stubborn” leader.

Noting that he understands Turkey’s position on terrorism, but that Sweden has already taken many steps in this regard, the former US commander said that Russia is the biggest threat to NATO at the moment, and that Sweden and Finland can make a contribution. significant military to the alliance.it did.

Stavridis, who wrote that some NATO countries began to think about choosing between Sweden, Finland and Turkey, but that this was a big mistake, pointed out that Turkey is the country with the second largest NATO army, saying: “The NATO needs Turkey. You also need Finland and Sweden. No one wants to have to choose between the two. It is in Erdogan’s hands to make sure this doesn’t happen,” he said.