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Sweden is officially the NATO’s 32nd member
The Nordic country officially joined NATO on Thursday after the war in Ukraine spurred it to rethink its defence policy and abandon its long-held position of neutrality.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson speaks, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens, during joint press statements on Sweden's entry into NATO at the State Department in Washington, U.S., March 7, 2024. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades
The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, formally submitted accession documents to the US State Department in Washington, D.C., marking the final stage of a months-long process aimed at securing approval from all members for Sweden to become the 32nd member of the alliance.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, received the documents, declaring that they were the outcome of “almost two years of tireless diplomacy” by NATO members. These documents were placed in a vault at the State Department, serving as the treaty depositary for NATO.
Sweden changed its neutral stance after 2022
The idea of Sweden joining NATO seemed improbable just over two years ago. Historically neutral in both World Wars, Sweden and its Nordic neighbour Finland became vigilant to the potential threat posed by Russian troops advancing toward Kyiv in February 2022, prompting their reconsideration of alliance membership.
Finland, sharing a 1,300-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, officially joined in April 2023, significantly increasing NATO’s border with Russia and dealing a blow to President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to curb the alliance’s growth.
Reflecting on the developments, Blinken remarked, “If you step back and think of where we were three years ago, none of this was foreordained – and in fact, none of this was foreseeable.” He highlighted Sweden’s longstanding “200-year-old policy of non-alignment,” dating back to the Napoleonic Wars, and how the Swedish population’s reluctance to join the alliance shifted after Russia’s invasion, noting, “Then everything changed.”
NATO countries welcomed Sweden’s accession
US President Joe Biden celebrated Sweden’s entry into NATO, declaring that it strengthens the alliance, making it “more united, determined, and dynamic than ever.” He highlighted the bloc’s ability to stand for freedom and democracy for future generations.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also praised the historic moment, noting that Sweden, like Finland, shares values and principles, expressing unwavering commitment to international security, particularly in response to Russia’s threats and actions in Ukraine.
Kristersson thanked allies for the warm welcome, pledging Sweden’s commitment to unity, solidarity, and burden-sharing while adhering to the values outlined in the Washington Treaty: freedom, democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.
Despite Finland smoothly joining NATO, Sweden faced obstacles from Turkey and Hungary. Turkey’s parliament approved Sweden’s bid in January after tensions arising from Quran-burning protests in Sweden, which angered Turkish lawmakers. Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, delayed approving Sweden’s accession, finally granting approval last month.
NATO’s upcoming annual summit in Washington, DC, scheduled for July, will commemorate the alliance’s 75th anniversary.
