Biden applauds Turkey's agreement to back Sweden's NATO entry on summit eve
President Biden said he looks forward to welcoming Sweden as the 32nd NATO ally. Turkey is dropping its opposition to Sweden's bid to join NATO, a big development on the eve of the alliance's 74th annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The announcement was applauded by President Joe Biden and comes a day after he spoke with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about U.S. F-16s for Ankara, although any direct connection was unclear. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced Monday an agreement was reached between him, Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Stoltenberg called it a "historic step" that will strengthen NATO allies. MORE: Biden journeys through Europe ahead of NATO summit Biden, who was vocal in supporting Sweden's membership, was quick to celebrate the breakthrough. "I welcome the statement issued by Türkiye, Sweden and the NATO Secretary General this evening, including the commitment by President Erdogan to transmi...