Sweden became the 32nd country to join NATO on Thursday when it deposited its document of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the US Government in Washington DC.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, “After over 200 years of non-alignment Sweden now enjoys the protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of Allies’ freedom and security.”
Today, I am honored to welcome Sweden as NATO’s 32nd Ally.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 7, 2024
75 years ago when NATO was established, President Truman said the Alliance, “would create a shield against aggression and fear of aggression.”
That shield – and transatlantic security – is stronger than ever. pic.twitter.com/0ySHg8dvQy
Sweden Joins NATO
According to a statement released by the US State Department, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson and Foreign Minister Tobias Billström on Thursday to mark the historic deposit of Sweden’s instrument of accession. Blinken congratulated Sweden on completing the final step towards becoming a NATO ally. The Secretary and PM Kristersson addressed how Sweden can directly contribute to Alliance priorities and prepare for the July NATO summit in Washington.
Sweden’s flag will be raised alongside 31 allies during a ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 11 March.
“Unity and solidarity will be Sweden’s guiding lights as a NATO member,” the Swedish PM said in a statement following a meeting with Blinken. “We will share burdens, responsibilities and risks with our allies,” he added. “Sweden is a safer country today than it was yesterday. We have allies. We have backing,” Kristersson stated. "We have taken out insurance in the Western defence alliance.”
Furthermore, Swedish Minister for Employment and Integration Johan Pehrson described the accession as “a new security policy era for Sweden” during a press conference in Stockholm on Thursday, adding that he had personally been waiting for such an achievement for 20 years.
“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,” Stoltenberg remarked.
It’s official – #Sweden is now the 32nd member of #NATO, taking its rightful place at our table. Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer, and the whole Alliance more secure. I look forward to raising their flag at NATO HQ on Monday.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) March 7, 2024
Biden’s Remarks
In a statement, US President Joe Biden said the addition of Sweden made NATO “more united, determined, and dynamic than ever,” adding that Sweden and Finland’s accession to the alliance meant the acquisition of “two highly capable militaries.”
“When Putin launched his brutal war of aggression against the people of Ukraine, he thought he could weaken Europe and divide NATO,” Biden asserted. “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,” he added.
Sweden’s 20-month Wait Ends
For Sweden, it marks the end of a 20-month wait that began in May 2022, as it made an application to join alongside Finland in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February that year. Last year, Finland joined NATO as its 31st member.
Although Finland and Sweden requested NATO membership at the same time, Turkey had postponed Sweden’s bid. Turkey made many requests about Sweden’s stance on members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey, the US, and the European Union (EU) consider as a terrorist group. Reportedly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the US Congress linked Turkey’s support for Sweden’s NATO membership to the acceptance of a $20 billion sale of Lockheed Martin aircraft and modernisation kits to Turkey.
Finally, Turkey gave Sweden its approval in January, but Hungary remained sceptical. Some analysts blamed the delay on Hungary’s PM, Viktor Orbán, who has close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, last month, Hungary’s parliament decided to approve Sweden’s NATO membership bid. Of the 194 members of parliament that voted, just six opposed Sweden’s accession.
According to reports, Sweden will be adding cutting-edge submarines and a sizable fleet of domestically produced Gripen fighter jets to NATO forces, serving as a critical link between the Atlantic and Baltic.