Sweden officially joins NATO amid security concerns triggered by Russia-Ukraine war
Sweden officially joined NATO in Washington on Thursday (March 7), prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson submitted the necessary paperwork, completing the process of gaining alliance support.
"Good things come to those who wait," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said as he received Sweden's accession documents from Kristersson.
"This is a historic moment for Sweden, for our alliance and for the transatlantic relationship," Blinken said.
Why is this inclusion historic?
The inclusion of Sweden and Finland into NATO, particularly noteworthy given Finland's 1,340 km border with Russia, marks the alliance's most substantial expansions in decades. Additionally, it represents a setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to impede further reinforcement of the alliance.
"Today is a truly historic day. Sweden is now a member of NATO," Kristersson said.
"The reason this is such a strong, powerful fit, is because Sweden embodies and promotes the core values that are at the core of NATO - democracy, liberty, the rule of law," Blinken said.
Sweden stands to gain from the alliance's shared defense guarantee, wherein an assault on any member is interpreted as an assault on all.
"Good things come to those who wait," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said as he received Sweden's accession documents from Kristersson.
"This is a historic moment for Sweden, for our alliance and for the transatlantic relationship," Blinken said.
Why is this inclusion historic?
The inclusion of Sweden and Finland into NATO, particularly noteworthy given Finland's 1,340 km border with Russia, marks the alliance's most substantial expansions in decades. Additionally, it represents a setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to impede further reinforcement of the alliance.
"Today is a truly historic day. Sweden is now a member of NATO," Kristersson said.
"The reason this is such a strong, powerful fit, is because Sweden embodies and promotes the core values that are at the core of NATO - democracy, liberty, the rule of law," Blinken said.
Sweden stands to gain from the alliance's shared defense guarantee, wherein an assault on any member is interpreted as an assault on all.
Although Sweden's defence minister rejected NATO membership as recently as 2021, the subsequent government, led by the Social Democrats, applied for membership alongside Finland. While Finland joined the alliance in the previous year, Sweden faced delays as Turkey and Hungary, with amicable ties to Russia, postponed ratifying its accession. Turkey eventually approved Sweden's application in January, while Hungary awaited Prime Minister Kristersson's visit to Budapest on February 23, resulting in an agreement on a fighter jet deal between the two nations.
Sweden officially joins NATO amid security concerns triggered by Russia-Ukraine war - World News
