The Nordic country applied for a membership

at the same time as Finland last year,

shortly after Russia launched

its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

But while Finland was accepted this April,

Turkey, and Hungary are blocking Sweden from joining.

Let's look at what's holding up the process

and what Sweden can bring to the Western Military Alliance.

Sweden is strategically located

next to NATO's newest member Finland.

If Sweden joined NATO,

troops would be able to go through

Swish territory into Finland,

to defend the 800-mile-long border with Russia.

- Those two countries, along with Norway and Denmark,

formal type of Nordic fortress in Northern Europe,

which helps NATO sure up its defenses against Russia,

both over land, but also at sea, in the Baltic Sea.

- [Narrator] The Baltic Sea is the shortest direct waterway

from Russia to the West.

This is where Sweden's, Gotland Island is located.

NATO often conducts military exercises here,

and the island could be used as a base

to protect its naval forces in Northern Europe.

- By joining nato,

Sweden also reinforces the alliance with weaponry.

It has surface-to-air missiles,

which will help NATO bolsters its defenses,

its air defenses in this region.

In addition, Sweden also has submarines

for the Baltic Sea,

and have a deep knowledge of Russian affairs

having been so closely located to Russia for over decades.

In a way that many European countries haven't.

- [Narrator] For centuries, Sweden avoided taking part

in military conflicts,

but the country has worked closely

with the alliance in the past.

- Sweden has had a close partnership with NATO

for several decades, going back to the mid-1990s

where Sweden was part of the NATO mission

in Bosnia Herzegovina,

and then since then,

it has participated in various NATO missions in Afghanistan,

and it's been part of what's called

an Enhanced Opportunity Partnership.

- [Narrator] But Russia's invasion

of Ukraine in February 2022,

made Sweden rethink its policy of non-alignment.

Russia opposes NATO membership for Sweden and Finland,

and said, "This would have consequences."

- Swedish and Finnish intelligence services

are prepared for increased cyber attacks,

increased espionage.

They say they're not concerned about direct military action

at the moment,

but Russia has threatened both countries

that there would be consequences if they join NATO.

- [Narrator] Every NATO member

needs to approve Sweden's application to join,

Hungary and Turkey are against it.

Hungary's Parliament says it's because of what it calls

unwarranted Swedish criticism of its democratic record.

While Turkey accuses Sweden

of sheltering Kurdish militants

that Ankara reconsiders to be terrorists.

- Sweden made a number of concessions

to Turkey to address these concerns,

including passing a new anti-terrorism law in Parliament

that made it illegal to be a member

of a terrorism organization.

And that includes the PKK,

which is a Turkish militant group

that Sweden also labels as a terrorist organization.

(crowd chanting)

- [Narrator] Hundreds of people protested in Stockholm

against the new law

saying, "The Swedish Government is bowing

to Turkish pressure."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

asked Sweden to stop the protests

before he can agree to their membership.

NATO's Secretary General

called a meeting with Sweden and Turkey

to try and sort out the issues

before the Alliance holds its Summit in Lithuania in July.

(dramatic music)