Earlier on Friday, it became clear that Turkish President Recep Erdogan gave the green light to the Turkish National Assembly to initiate Finland’s approval as a member of NATO.

Sweden reacted strongly to this Friday afternoon – Turkey said that they would not start the approval process for Sweden yet.

– This is a development we did not want, but we are ready for it, said Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström during a press conference.

He said the important thing now was for Sweden to secure the two extraordinary ratifications needed for the country to become a full member of the NATO defense alliance.

The two countries that so far have not officially agreed to Sweden and Finland as members are Turkey and Hungary.

Hence, Turkey said it would start Finland’s approval process, and aims to be in the country before new elections on May 14. Hungary said on Friday it would also recognize Finland at the end of March.

But for Sweden it is more difficult. Both countries – Turkey and Hungary – have put themselves on the back foot for Sweden’s NATO membership.

Billström said he saw no reason why Hungary could not approve Sweden’s application. Meanwhile, Hungarian President Vitor Orban accused both countries of lying about democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated earlier on Friday that it was “inconceivable that NATO would not respond if Finland or Sweden were attacked.”

Several NATO members, including the important countries of the United States, Britain, Germany and France, have provided bilateral security guarantees to the two countries. Norway has also provided these to these countries.