On March 7th, Sweden officially joined NATO as its 32nd member, marking the end of a nearly two-year delay and a longstanding policy of nonalignment.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson personally handed over the NATO Instrument of Accession to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington. Blinken graciously accepted the document as the depositor of the treaty, marking the official completion of Sweden’s entry into the esteemed military alliance.
Blinken expressed his belief that despite facing some challenges along the way, the day has finally arrived for Sweden’s formal acceptance into NATO. He acknowledged the controversies that have surrounded this decision, but emphasized the significance of this moment in history. According to him, this is a historic milestone not just for Sweden, but also for the alliance and the trans-Atlantic relationship.
Sweden expressed its humility and readiness to shoulder the responsibility of collaborating with fellow NATO member nations to ensure the security of the region, as stated by Kristersson.
“We are committed to meeting the high expectations of all NATO allies,” he stated. “As a NATO member, Sweden will prioritize unity and solidarity, sharing the burdens, responsibilities, and risks with our fellow allies.”
According to NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, Sweden is joining its European neighbors in taking its “rightful place” within the alliance. This move will allow Sweden to actively contribute to shaping NATO’s policies and decisions.
“After more than two centuries of abstaining from alignment, Sweden now benefits from the safeguard provided by Article 5, which serves as the ultimate assurance of freedom and security for Allies,” Stoltenberg expressed. “Sweden contributes capable armed forces and boasts a top-notch defense industry.”
Sweden and Finland both expressed their desire to join NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Sweden faced delays in its application process due to Hungary’s ties with Russia and Turkey’s concerns regarding the country’s approach to addressing Islamophobia.
President Joe Biden issued a statement on Thursday, expressing his welcome to Sweden’s entry into NATO. He described this admission as a reaffirmation of the shared democratic values between the alliance and Sweden, emphasizing their collective commitment to standing up for these principles.
“When Putin launched his brutal war of aggression against the people of Ukraine, he thought he could weaken Europe and divide NATO,” the statement read. “Instead, in May 2022, Sweden and Finland — two of our close partners, with two highly capable militaries — made the historic decision to apply for full NATO membership.”
The US will host the 2024 NATO summit, which will commemorate the organization’s 75th anniversary, on July 9–11 in Washington, D.C.
