After Two Centuries of Neutrality, Sweden Officially Joins NATO
In a historic move, Sweden has officially become the 32nd member of NATO after two centuries of neutrality. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson handed over the final paperwork in Washington to complete the accession process, with US President Joe Biden welcoming Sweden as the alliance’s newest member.
The accession of Sweden to NATO has been met with praise from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who both called it a historic moment for the alliance. The Swedish flag is set to be hoisted at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday, symbolizing the country’s full-fledged membership.
The decision for Sweden to join NATO comes amidst rising tensions with Russia, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed that Sweden is now more protected from Russian aggression, highlighting the security benefits of joining the alliance.
Sweden, which has not been involved in a war since the Napoleonic conflicts of the early 19th century, had long maintained a policy of neutrality in both world wars. However, the changing geopolitical landscape, including Russia’s aggressive actions, has prompted Sweden to reassess its security strategy.
As Sweden joins NATO, a NATO exercise is currently taking place in northern Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The Russian Security Council Secretary has criticized the exercise as a rehearsal for armed confrontation, highlighting the tensions between NATO and Russia.
Despite Russia’s threats of unspecified countermeasures in response to Sweden’s accession, most Swedes believe that joining NATO will boost the country’s security. With Sweden now a member of NATO, the alliance’s transatlantic security is further strengthened, ensuring a more secure future for Sweden and its allies.
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