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Turkey’s leader opposes letting Finland, Sweden join NATO

A Russian Imperial double-headed eagle is seen in front of a Sweden flag on the Czarina's Stone in the Market Square, in Helsinki, Finland, Friday, May 13, 2022. Finnish leaders announced Thursday their belief that Finland should join the world's biggest military organization because of Russia's war in Ukraine. Sweden could soon follow suit. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) FILE - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, and Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson exchange files as they sign a security assurance, in Harpsund, the country retreat of Swedish prime ministers, Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Finland appears on the cusp of joining NATO. Sweden could follow suit. By year’s end, they could stand among the alliance’s ranks. Russia’s war in Ukraine has provoked a public about face on membership in the two Nordic countries. They are already NATO’s closest partners, but should Russia respond to their membership moves they might soon need the organization’s military support. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool, File) In this photo made available by the Turkish Presidency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media after Friday prayers, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, May 13, 2022. Erdogan said Friday that his country is "not favorable" toward Finland and Sweden joining NATO, indicating that Turkey could use its status as a member of the Western military alliance to veto moves to admit the two countries. (Turkish Presidency via AP) Finnish soldiers take part in the Army mechanised exercise Arrow 22 exercise at the Niinisalo garrison in Kankaanp'', Western Finland, on May 4, 2022. Finland appears on the cusp of joining NATO. Sweden could follow suit. By year's end, they could stand among the alliance's ranks. Russia's war in Ukraine has provoked a public about face on membership in the two Nordic countries. They are already NATO's closest partners, but should Russia respond to their membership moves they might soon need the organization's military support (Heikki Saukkomaa./Lehtikuva via AP)