Sweden Officially Becomes NATO’s 32nd Member
Sweden officially became the 32nd member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Thursday, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson describing the moment as the “start of something new”. The Swedish flag is scheduled to be raised at NATO’s Brussels headquarters and NATO’s various command headquarters on March 11.
Sweden formally joined the alliance after its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty was deposited with the government of the United States. The instrument of accession was personally handed over by Kristersson to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a meeting at the State Department.
“This has been a little bit of a road, but I think we’ve known from day one that we would be here today,” said Blinken in a speech following the deposition. Blinken added that Sweden’s move to join NATO was a reaffirmation of Sweden’s democratic character, and the clearest example of the strategic debacle that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has become for Russia. Blinken continued:
“And fundamentally, our alliance is now, as I said, both larger and stronger than it’s ever been. And we see again and again and again that everything Putin sought to prevent, he’s actually precipitated by his actions, by his aggression. And there’s no clearer example of that than Sweden becoming a member of this alliance.”
In his speech, Kristersson said ending Sweden’s 200 years of neutrality was a “major step, but at the same time a very natural step”. “Membership means that we are coming home to the Alliance for Peace and coming home to the Alliance for Freedom, to which many democracies already belong. Also, home to our neighbors’ security cooperation. Home to the circle of countries where we, for generations, have belonged. We will defend freedom together with the countries closest to us, both in terms of geography, culture and values. Kristersson concluded his remarks adding:
“The security situation in our region has not been this serious since the Second World War. Russia will stay a serious threat to the Euro-Atlantic security for the foreseeable future. It was in this light that Sweden applied to join the NATO Defence Alliance. To gain security, but also to provide security. We have unique capabilities to contribute on land, in the air, at sea. Our support in Ukraine is a fundamental part of that. Ukraine is fighting bravely for its freedom, but they are also defending European freedom.
At the same time, we are strengthening our defense and doubling the defense budget right now. From this year onwards, Sweden meets the NATO standard of 2% of GDP to defense spending. This is important for NATO security, obviously, and to burden sharing. We are increasing the numbers of conscripts, strengthening civil defense and reintroducing civilian service in Sweden. We have been prepared for this task for quite a while. And I am very pleased to take this very final step.
Sweden is joining NATO. It is not the end of something. It is the beginning of something new. I look forward to making the world safer and freer together with the United States and all other NATO Allies.”