The Turkish parliament's decision to approve Sweden's NATO application is absolutely decisive for the continued process.

The decision thus constitutes an important step towards full Swedish NATO membership.

Tuesday's decision means that Turkey can now complete the ratification process of Sweden's NATO application.

However, how long this may take is unclear.

If the process goes smoothly, everything could be ready this week.

It assumes that the Turkish parliament sends it to President Erdoğan for signature without delay.

Before the Turkish process is completed, the president must sign the parliamentary decision.

After that, the Turkish documents must be deposited in Washington so that Turkey can be considered to have formally approved Sweden.

Theoretically, delays may occur

The question then is what can put a stop to Sweden at this late stage of the process?

Yes, so far the Swedish ambition to become a NATO member has been marred by unforeseen setbacks and setbacks.

It is also still unclear about the deal with American fighter jets that Erdoğan has connected with an approval of Sweden's NATO application.

No one in the Swedish government office therefore dares to assume any success in advance.

Theoretically, delays can occur both in connection with the handing over of the documents by the Parliament to the President and when the President has to sign them.

There is an outstanding issue

But even when this is clear there is an outstanding problem for the Swedish government and it is spelled Hungary.

At first, Hungary had no objections to Swedish NATO membership.

Gradually, however, the government in Budapest has emerged as an increasingly strong critic.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Orbán tweeted that he wants to negotiate with Sweden's Prime Minister before a Hungarian approval can become relevant.

Hungary has previously said that it does not intend to be the last country to ratify Sweden's NATO application.

Now it can be like that.

Orbán's letter to Ulf Kristersson

The Swedish government does not really know what Orbán is after.

In a letter to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Orbán invites him to Budapest for a dialogue on rebuilt mutual trust between the countries.

Among other things, Orbán wants to talk about security issues and the upcoming Hungarian presidency of the EU.

The Swedish government flatly says no to negotiations with Hungary, but says it is happy to hold a dialogue with the country.

Ulf Kristersson hopes to have a meeting with Erdoğan in connection with the European Council next week, or by phone, and is willing to visit Budapest in the future.

The drama may well continue for a while

What Orbán's latest outburst may mean for the continued NATO process is thus highly unclear.

Theoretically, Hungary can delay the process further, but then risks reprisals from the rest of NATO.

Conversely, the Hungarian process can be fast.

Parliament can be called in at short notice and only has to carry out the vote itself.

All preparatory work for the vote has already been completed.

The Swedish government, of course, hopes that it will happen quickly, but the drama may well continue for a while longer.