In the wake of Kristersson’s talks with Biden, the US reiterated its call for Turkey to approve Sweden’s membership. “The United States continues to believe that Sweden should join the NATO alliance as soon as possible, and we continue to work with our allies and partners to make that happen,” Jean-Pierre said. US Backs Sweden's NATO bid amid quran-burning Controversy as Sweden’s bid for NATO membership hangs in the balance, the United States has reiterated its “full support” for the northern European country’s accession to the US-led alliance.

US President Joe Biden and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre both expressed their support for Sweden as Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson held talks with the President in Washington on Wednesday. The call for Sweden’s admission into NATO comes amid a dispute between the country and Turkey over the burning of the Quran by far-right activists in two protests this year. Turkey has accused Sweden of providing a safe haven to members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and has signalled that it is sticking to its position against Stockholm. The US, however, has rejected the desecration of Islam’s holy book while calling on Turkey to approve Sweden’s NATO bid.

US officials have also been urging the country to fulfil its commitments in the trilateral memorandum signed with Finland and Turkey last year. NATO members need to unanimously agree to allow new countries into the bloc. Finland officially joined the alliance in April, but Sweden’s application is still pending. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had hoped Sweden’s NATO accession would be finalised before the Lithuania summit, which is set to start on July 11. In the wake of Kristersson’s talks with Biden, the US reiterated its call for Turkey to approve Sweden’s membership. “The United States continues to believe that Sweden should join the NATO alliance as soon as possible, and we continue to work with our allies and partners to make that happen,” Jean-Pierre said.