Sweden Declares NATO Membership Bid Hours After Neighboring Finland

"On the same day a mere hours later, and as fully expected based on prior statements,
Sweden's ruling party formally affirmed its Stockholm's simultaneous application to NATO. "Sweden's ruling Social Democratic Party on Sunday said it was in favor of joining NATO, reversing its decades-long opposition and paving the way for the country to submit a membership application," AFP reported." ZH

Georgia’s Breakaway Region to Hold Referendum on Joining Russia in July

"The leader of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia on Friday set July 17 as a date for
a referendum on joining Russia.

"Anatoly Bibilov signed a decree on holding a referendum in the Republic of South Ossetia," his office said in a statement, citing his people's "historic aspiration" to join Russia." MT

Turkey clarifies position on new NATO members

"Turkey is not seeking to outright shoot down the accession of Sweden and Finland to the US-
led NATO bloc, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top adviser Ibrahim Kalin told Reuters on Saturday. Nonetheless, Ankara’s concerns about organizations it deems to be “terrorist” that are operating in these countries must be addressed, the official said.

Ankara is particularly concerned about the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), recognized as a terrorist organization in Turkey, as well as in the EU and the US. The issue relates primarily to Sweden, the official clarified." RT

Finland officially decides to join NATO

"Finland has officially announced its intention of joining the NATO military alliance. During a
cabinet meeting on Sunday, President Sauli Niinistö and ministers “agreed that Finland would apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,” the statement read." RT