Sweden Officially Joins NATO as 32nd Member

By FrumNews.com

Following the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war in February 2022, a consequential under-the-radar story broke out: Long-standing neutral European countries, Sweden and Finland, decided to join the NATO alliance, due to growing fears that they would be next in line to get invaded as Russia has invaded Ukraine.

Finland, which shares a 1,271-kilometer (789-mile) border with Russia, joined NATO last April in a blow to Russia’s President Putin, who has been fighting NATO expansion for years.

However, Sweden’s bid to join the Alliance was obstructed for months by Turkey and Hungary, delaying the ratification of Sweden’s accession.

Turkish leaders accused Sweden of harboring Kurdish terrorists and demanded that Sweden tighten its anti-terrorism laws and extradite the accused terrorists to Turkey. They also requested that the U.S. resume arms sales to Turkey. In January, the Turkish parliament eventually approved the membership of Sweden and got F-16 fighter jets in exchange. 

Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister—considered among the most pro-Russian Prime Ministers in the EU—held up Sweden’s approval. Last month, Hungary changed course and its parliament approved Sweden’s accession. 

On Thursday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson formally handed accession documents to the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC, the final step of a years-long process to gain the approval of all members and allow Sweden to become NATO’s 32nd member, ahead of the Alliance’s 75th anniversary.

During the accession NATO ratification ceremony at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “I think 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. Sweden had a 200-year-old policy of nonalignment…After the invasion, three-quarters of the Swedish people made clear their desire to join. Swedes realized something very profound: that if Putin was willing to try to erase one neighbor from the map, then he might well not stop there.”

“This is a historic day. Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions. After over 200 years of non-alignment Sweden now enjoys the protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of Allies’ freedom and security. Sweden brings with it capable armed forces and a first-class defense industry.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. “Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole Alliance more secure. Today’s accession demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that every nation has the right to choose its own path.” 

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Sweeden’s accession to NATO, “75 years ago—when the United States and 11 other nations came together to establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization—President Truman said the Alliance, ‘would create a shield against aggression and fear of aggression.’ Today, that shield—and transatlantic security—is stronger than ever with the formal addition of Sweden to NATO.”

“Today, we once more reaffirm that our shared democratic values—and our willingness to stand up for them—is what makes NATO the greatest military alliance in the history of the world. It is what draws nations to our cause. It is what underpins our unity. And together with our newest Ally Sweden—NATO will continue to stand for freedom and democracy for generations to come.” Biden Added.