According to Article 10 of NATO’s founding document, its so-called “open door policy” to enlarge the war-making alliance requires unanimous consent of its member states.
At this time, Turkish President Erdogan is holding up accession of Finland and Sweden to resolution of what he demands.
While enlarging the alliance from 30 to 32 member states is highly likely ahead, Erdogan said the following:
He won’t necessarily agree to every alliance proposal, adding:
“NATO’s enlargement is meaningful to us only to the extent that our sensitivities are respected.”
“Asking us for support for (enlarging) NATO membership while providing every kind of support to the PKK/YPG terrorist organization amounts to incoherence, to say the least.”
Hegemon USA-dominated NATO “is conspiring against Ankara.”
“(H)umanity has come to the brink of a great confrontation yet again after World War II, as made visible by the war on Ukrainian territory, has brought security balances to the forefront.”
Turkey won’t agree on accession of Finland and Sweden to the alliance unless Erdogan’s following demands are agreed on:
Alliance denunciation of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), along with cracking down on their activities in Finland and Sweden.
Extraditing to Turkey what it calls “terrorists” in both countries.
For years, Helsinki and Stockholm refused Ankara’s request to extradite 33 individuals, ones it calls “terrorists.”
Immediate lifting of EU arms export restrictions to Turkey — because of its military campaign against regional Kurds.
The same goes for Finland and Sweden. Erdogan wants no restrictions on Turkish trade with both countries.
Restoration of Ankara’s participation in the US F-35 stealth warplane program.
Approval of Turkey’s request to buy dozens of US F-16 warplanes and upgrade kits.
Barring occurred in response to Turkey’s legitimate right to buy S-400 missile-defense systems from Russia.
Lifting of US sanctions imposed on Ankara for buying Russian S-400s.
On Monday, Erdogan said he won’t welcome delegations from Helsinki and Stockholm to Ankara for discussion of his demands.
On the same day, US-installed NATO puppet Stoltenberg tweeted:
“Turkey is a valued ally and any security concerns need to be addressed.”
“We must stand together at this historic moment (sic).”
Like Hungary’s refusal to go along with an embargo on Russian oil, Turkey acted in similar fashion, Erdogan saying:
“In terms of sanctions, we are studying certain UN guidelines, but let’s not forget that we cannot put aside our relations with Russia.”
“I explained this a long time ago.”
“If we take natural gas alone, about half of (what Turkey needs) comes from Russia.”
“Besides that, we are building our Akkuyu nuclear power plant with Russia. We can’t ignore that.”
“We have to protect this sensitivity.”
“I cannot leave my people to freeze in the winter, and…I cannot completely reboot this industry of ours.”
As a result, Erdogan refused to go along with US/Western sanctions on Russia for launching its defensive SMO in Ukraine.
Whether US-dominated NATO will accept his demands as a condition of supporting accession of Finland and Sweden to the alliance is unclear at this time.
A Final Comment
On Wednesday, the European Commission announced a harebrained scheme to end EU dependence on Russian energy by 2027, Russophobe EC head von der Layen, saying:
“We are taking our ambition to yet another level to make sure that we become independent from Russian fossil fuels as quickly as possible (sic).”
The EC estimates that the harebrained scheme will cost about $220 billion for investments in renewable energy sources, new power grids, energy saving efforts, and new oil, gas and hydrogen infrastructure.
At this time, EU countries depend on Russia for about 40% of their natural gas and nearly 30% of their oil.
Cutting way back on or ending this dependency will harm their economies much more than already.
Germany is especially dependent on Russian energy.
While it may go along with no longer buying its oil, that’s not the case on its gas — what’s essential for its economy with no known substitute to replace it.
Mr Lendman,
About 8 hours ago Erdogan hardened his line.
Squared it up perfectly.
Simply said, ” It’s Strategic we cannot survive without Russian energy…thar simple..!”
Perfect.
Like a Straight Flush.
How are you going to argue with that logic..?
“Now you’re cooking with Gas, pal..!”
BTW… Erdogan is kinda like the Bo Belinsky of World Politics..!
He’s the irascible..
Unpredictable..
And never ceases to confound
That’s why he’s the
“Sultan of Swing!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mr Lendman,
“What did the
The Turkey Sandwich
Tell the Swedish Meatballs..?
You’re Finnished..!”
LOL
What..you think my joke sucks?
Wait..it gets worse..
“Turkey dropped em
Right in the Greece..!”
LOL
Okay..jokes aren’t so hot..
But I’ve got a great personality!
“Say Goodnight, Gracie..!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
May Erdogan (I can’t quite trust him [Syria!], but WTH am I?…) stand strong and determined! I’d prefer, of course, his total opposition to this unwise and fraught “plan” of yet-further NATO expansion….
Thank you, sir, for this invaluable post.
LikeLike
Robert Silver..
Exactly.
You’re correct on both counts..
“Hope he remains determined..”
And who could trust him?
LOL
I don’t.
Based on years of observation.
But never ceases to amaze me and might say,
Rather tempestuously,
Entertain me..!
What a Character..
Right out of Disney
Like Cap’n Hook..!
LOL
But on a more serious note.
What’s NATO going to do?
Shoot him.
Remember..
July 2016
US, UK & NATO tried to assassinate Him..!
The NATO Serial Killers only missed him by 30 seconds.
Putin tipped him off..
saved his life ..!
PUTIN SAVED HIS LIFE..!
Hey Sauli …are these the People ..
The killers you want to join?
Tried to assassinate a NATO MEMBER .
another time or place
Your new Overlords might want to shoot you.
To them,
The Blood Simple
Psycho Killers .
What’s the difference
Turkey or Finland..?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mr. Lendman, for anither infirmative article. I Pray Erdogan says it straight and simple: No.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Corrections are needed Mr. Lendman for my post. It should read: Thank you, Mr. Lendman, for another informative article. I Pray Erdogan says it straight and simple: No.
LikeLiked by 1 person