The Swedish prime minister handed over the NATO accession documents to the US government, the final step in the process of becoming a member of the military alliance.
"This is a historic moment for Sweden, for the alliance and for the transatlantic relationship," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Washington on March 7, after receiving the NATO accession document from Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Mr. Blinken commented that this was a development "no one thought possible three years ago." He commented that the "strategic upheavals" arising from Russia's war in Ukraine had led to today and created additional challenges for Russia itself.
"This is a strong and powerful combination. Sweden is a model and also a country that promotes NATO's core values - freedom, independence and the rule of law," Mr. Blinken commented.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) receives the official NATO membership document from Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Washington on March 7. Photo: AFP
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called Sweden's admission as NATO's 32nd member a "victory for freedom" and a "historic day". He said the milestone showed that Sweden had "made a choice in freedom, democracy, sovereignty and solidarity" to join the military alliance.
Sweden has maintained military neutrality for decades, but changed its stance after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February 2022. Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO in May 2022.
Finland joined NATO in April 2023 after receiving support from 30 member states. Meanwhile, Sweden is currently facing obstacles from Türkiye and Hungary.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan gave Sweden the green light on January 25. Hungary also officially signed the protocol approving Sweden's NATO membership, completing the approval process after more than a year of diplomatic wrangling.
Thanh Danh (According to Reuters, AFP )
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