“Completing Sweden’s accession to Nato is a historic step that benefits the security of all Nato allies at this critical time. It makes us all stronger and safer,” Stoltenberg said.

Sweden’s bid must still be approved by the Turkish parliament, but Erdogan has agreed to push for its ratification.

Turkey has been holding up Sweden’s application to join the Atlantic alliance, accusing Stockholm of harbouring Kurdish activists Ankara regards as terrorists.

But the statement issued after the three-way talks stated that Turkey and Sweden would work closely in “counterterrorism coordination” and boost bilateral trade ties.

“Sweden will actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkey’s EU accession process, including modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union and visa liberalisation,” the statement said.

That agreement came after Erdogan paused his talks with Stoltenberg and Kristersson for a side meeting with EU chief Charles Michel, president of the European Council.

Michel hailed a “good meeting”, adding that they had “explored opportunities ahead to bring EU-Turkey cooperation back to the forefront and re-energise our relations”.

02:28

Finland inducted into Nato as Russia warns of ‘countermeasures’

Finland inducted into Nato as Russia warns of ‘countermeasures’

Turkey has been a formal candidate to join the European Union since 2005, and an aspirant since long before that, but talks have long been stalled with little sign of life.

But Monday’s statements imply Ankara and Brussels may move on boosting trade, updating their customs agreements and loosening visa rules in the absence of formal membership talks.

“Sweden meets all the requirements for Nato membership,” Scholz said in Berlin.

“The other question is one that is not connected with it and that is why I do not think it should be seen as a connected issue.”

A Western official told Agence France-Presse the allies will drop the requirement that Kyiv complete a “Membership Action Plan”, a kind of road map to military reform that some allies have had to follow.

Ukraine’s foreign minister said this concession – which Moscow warned would have serious consequences for European security – would reduce Kyiv’s path to Nato membership.

“I welcome this long-awaited decision that shortens our path to Nato,” Dmytro Kuleba tweeted.

“It is also the best moment to offer clarity on the invitation to Ukraine to become member.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects Nato to confirm that Ukraine is already a “de facto” member and work out an “algorithm” for Kyiv to officially join it.

“When we applied for membership of Nato, we spoke frankly: de facto, Ukraine is already in the alliance. Our weapons are the weapons of the alliance. Our values are what the alliance believes in. … Vilnius must confirm all this,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address.

“We are still working on the wording, that is, on the specific words of such confirmation, but we already understand the fact that Ukraine will be in the alliance, and we are working to make the algorithm for gaining membership as clear and fast as possible.”

But Nato leaders remain divided over offering Ukraine a clear route into the alliance in Vilnius.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar said Kyiv’s troops had established fire control over the “entrances, exits and movement of the enemy around the city” of Bakhmut.

Additional reporting by Reuters