World

US Senator Blocks Arms Sales to Hungary for Stalling of Sweden’s Entry to NATO

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Senator James Risch will stall arms sales to Hungary as punishment for Budapest delaying Sweden’s accession to the NATO alliance, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Wednesday.
Sputnik
“For some time now, I have directly expressed my concerns to the Hungarian government regarding its refusal to move forward a vote for Sweden to join NATO,” Risch said, as quoted by US media.
“The fact that it is now June and still not done, I decided that the sale of new US military equipment to Hungary will be on hold.”
The move blocks a $735 million arms sale by the United States to Hungary, which includes High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
Hungary has blocked Sweden’s entry into NATO, citing a need for improved relations between Budapest and Stockholm first. Turkiye has likewise blocked Sweden’s membership over concerns about Stockholm’s approach to organizations deemed terrorist by Ankara.
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Erdogan Says Turkey Will Not Change Approach to Sweden's NATO Membership at July Summit
Earlier Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said it is possible to have an agreement in place for Sweden’s accession by the military alliance’s summit in July.
However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said on Wednesday that Turkiye should not be expected to change its stance on the matter unless Sweden meets its expectations.
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