Sweden’s potential inclusion in the NATO military alliance will be a topic of discussion among Nordic leaders in Iceland on Monday, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attending. Trudeau is scheduled to have a private meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during the annual Nordic leaders’ summit. The two-day event comes after a weekend of military turmoil in Russia and ahead of the annual NATO leaders’ summit in Lithuania next month. The Nordic countries have all supported Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion, prompting Sweden and Finland to apply to join NATO.
Canada was the first country to support both Sweden and Finland’s bids for NATO membership, with Finland being admitted in April. However, Turkey and Hungary have yet to approve Sweden’s acceptance. Trudeau will also meet with Jonas Gahr Støre, the Prime Minister of Norway, during the summit. He has already met with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, and Finland. The recent brief armed revolt by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in Russia has heightened security concerns for the Nordic nations, who share the Arctic with Russia and are worried about stability in the region amidst climate change. The melting ice in the Arctic opens up new access and strategic interests for powers like Russia and China.
