Sweden and Finland had jointly applied to join as concerns rose in both countries as a result of the Ukraine war. While Finland was admitted as the 4st member on 31 April, Sweden is still waiting.
So far, Hungary and Turkey have not agreed to Sweden's admission. Turkey is particularly bothered by its liberal treatment of supporters of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and is therefore blocking accession. Stoltenberg said he wanted to work to ensure that Sweden could join "as soon as possible"