Sweden eyes to become NATO member before July summit

Sweden expects to join the Alliance by the start of the summit in Vilnius in July, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson told RBC-Ukraine.

"I hope we will be able to join the alliance by the summit in Vilnius on July 11-12, and we feel strong support for our application. I had the honour of hosting Defence Minister Austin two days ago in Sweden and he said that it is very important that Sweden becomes a member of the alliance before the Vilnius summit," he said.

The defence minister added that Stockholm respects the fact that each country makes a personal decision about others joining NATO. At the same time, Sweden is experiencing strong support for its application to the Alliance.