Published March 8, 2024
Sweden applied to join the military alliance after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Sweden has officially become the 32nd member of Nato after it completed its accession process in Washington.
The handover of documents took place at a ceremony two years after Sweden applied to join the military alliance following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that “unity and solidarity” would be Sweden’s “guiding lights”.
Nato today “is stronger than ever,” US President Joe Biden said.
“Nato stands more united, determined, and dynamic” the US leader said, adding that “together with our newest ally Sweden – Nato will continue to stand for freedom and democracy for generations to come.”
“This has been a little bit of a road but we’ve known from day one that we would be here one day,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on X that Sweden brings with it “capable armed forces and a first-class defence industry” and that the alliance had become “stronger and safer”.
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SOURCE: www.bbc.com
RELATED: Sweden officially joins NATO, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality
Published March 8, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality and centuries of broader non-alignment with major powers as security concerns in Europe have spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
President Joe Biden congratulated Sweden on its admission and said it was a sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intervention in Ukraine had united, rather than divided, the alliance.
“When Putin launched his brutal war of aggression against the people of Ukraine, he thought he could weaken Europe and divide NATO,” Biden said in a statement.
“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,” Biden said. ”With the addition of Sweden today, NATO stands more united, determined, and dynamic than ever — now 32 nations strong.”
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SOURCE: www.apnews.com
RELATED: Swedes cheer end of long wait to join Nato
Published March 9, 2024
Almost two years after applying to join Nato, many Swedes say there is palpable relief that the wait to secure membership in the military alliance is finally over.
As Stockholm commuters rushed to work in temperatures of -1C, few were in the mood for a detailed post-mortem of the application process. But many said they already felt safer, just a day after Sweden officially joined Nato, following a document handover in Washington.
“I think it’s great, actually. It feels safe, and about time,” said 58-year-old Kristina McConnell, who used to work in the military and was on her way to the city centre law firm where she now practised.
Sweden embraced wartime neutrality for more than 200 years, and a decade ago a majority of residents were against joining the multinational military alliance.
