Biden lobbies for Sweden’s NATO membership while meeting PM

President Biden met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Wednesday in a show of solidarity as the U.S. and NATO allies try to dislodge Turkey‘s objection to letting the Scandinavian country join the military alliance before a high-stakes summit this month.

Mr. Biden told the prime minister he is “anxiously looking forward to your membership,” while the Swedish leader thanked the U.S. for championing its bid.

Sweden has avoided military alliances for 200 years but wants to join NATO, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the possible escalation of forays into Europe. Finland, which shares a border with Russia and also fears Moscow’s aggression in Europe, dropped its nonalignment stance and joined the alliance this year.