US defense secretary forecasts Sweden will join NATO by mid-July

MUSKӦ NAVAL BASE, Sweden — In its bid to join NATO, Sweden may cross the finish line in time for the transatlantic alliance’s next summit in mid-July, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the start of a bilateral meeting with his Swedish counterpart here Wednesday.
Sweden has lobbied for admission to NATO for nearly a year amid objections from member countries Turkey and Hungary. Many U.S. and allied officials believe its inclusion would strengthen the alliance.