Devendra Kumar
Sweden has officially joined Nato, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy as concerns about Russian aggression have spiked following the invasion of Ukraine. This development is a major departure from Sweden’s long-standing military neutrality, which has been in place since the end of the Second World War. The country’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, and US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, presided over a ceremony at the State Department, where Sweden’s instrument of accession to the alliance was deposited. Blinken hailed the occasion as a “historic moment for Sweden, historic for the alliance, and historic for the transatlantic relationship,” stating that Nato’s alliance is now stronger and larger than ever.
Sweden’s membership in Nato has been a topic of discussion for several years, with the country’s parliament voting in favor of membership in October 2022. However, the process was slowed by objections from Nato members Turkey and Hungary. Turkey expressed concerns about Sweden’s handling of Kurdish groups, while Hungary’s populist President, Viktor Orban, has shown pro-Russian sentiments. Despite these challenges, Sweden’s accession was finally confirmed earlier this year, and Hungary ratified it just days ago.
Sweden’s membership in Nato is seen as a significant blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to divide and weaken the alliance. US President Joe Biden is expected to use Sweden’s accession to step up calls for reluctant Republicans to approve stalled military assistance to Ukraine. The addition of Sweden to Nato also strengthens the alliance’s collective security guarantee, with Article 5 obliging all members to come to the aid of an ally whose territory or security is under threat.
The Swedish flag will be raised outside Nato’s headquarters in Brussels on Monday, marking the country’s official entry into the organization. Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Sweden’s accession, stating that it makes the alliance stronger, Sweden safer, and the whole alliance more secure. With Sweden’s membership, Nato has grown to include 32 member states, firmly positioning itself as a united and strong defensive alliance. Sweden’s decision to join Nato marks a significant milestone in the organization’s history, solidifying its commitment to collective defense and contributing to a safer and more secure world.