Sweden officially became the 32nd member of NATO on Thursday, marking the end of decades of post-World War II neutrality.
The decision comes amidst rising concerns about Russian aggression in Europe, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken oversaw the ceremony at the State Department, where Sweden’s “instrument of accession” to the alliance was formally deposited.
“This is a historic moment for Sweden. It’s historic for the alliance. It’s history for the transatlantic relationship,” Blinken stated.
“Our NATO alliance is now stronger, larger than it’s ever been.”
In a social media post, Kristersson expressed that Sweden’s NATO membership makes the country safer.
Later on Thursday, Kristersson will visit the White House and attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address to Congress as a guest of honor.
The White House highlighted that Sweden’s NATO alliance will enhance the safety of both the United States and its allies.
“NATO is the most powerful defensive alliance in the history of the world, and it is as critical today to ensuring the security of our citizens as it was 75 years ago when our alliance was founded out of the wreckage of World War II,” it declared in a statement.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg characterized the occasion as “a historic day”.
“Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions,” he expressed in a statement.
The Swedish flag will be raised outside NATO’s headquarters in Brussels on Monday.
Stoltenberg emphasized that Sweden now benefits from the protection provided under Article 5, which serves as the ultimate assurance of allies’ freedom and security.
Article 5 of NATO’s treaty mandates all members to come to the aid of an ally facing territorial or security threats. It has been invoked only once, by the U.S. following the September 11, 2001, attacks.
This collective security guarantee aligns with Sweden’s longstanding desire for security, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole alliance more secure,” Stoltenberg said.
He added that the move “demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that every nation has the right to choose its own path.”
Sweden, alongside Finland, which joined NATO last year, departed from their longstanding military neutrality, a key aspect of the Nordic states’ Cold War foreign policy, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
In his speech to Congress, President Biden is expected to highlight Sweden’s accession to NATO as evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempts to divide and weaken the alliance have failed in the wake of the Ukraine invasion.
Additionally, the Democratic president is anticipated to leverage Sweden’s decision to join as a means to intensify calls for reluctant Republicans to approve stalled military assistance to Ukraine as the conflict enters its third year.
President Biden and his NATO counterparts have affirmed their commitment that Ukraine will eventually join the alliance.
However, Sweden’s membership had been delayed due to objections from NATO members Turkey and Hungary.
Turkey voiced concerns about Sweden’s perceived leniency towards Kurdish groups it considers terrorists, while Hungary’s President Viktor Orban, known for his pro-Russian stance, did not share the alliance’s resolve to support Ukraine.
After a prolonged delay, Turkey ratified Sweden’s admission earlier this year, and Hungary followed suit just this week.
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