Sweden becomes NATO’s 32nd member state. This was reported by SVT during a press conference from Rosenbad earlier today.
– The beginning of something new in our work for freedom and peace, says Johan Persson (L) during the press conference, and continues:
– Today is a very beautiful day in a dangerous world.
Also the Prime Minister’s deputy Ebba Busch Thor (KD) was at the press conference.
– Different types of influence attempts and cyber attacks are something we have worked with for many years. I think it is important, even though we may see changes, that we are used to facing this type of attack in Sweden, she says at the press conference.
– Then I signed the Swedish accession documents to NATO. We will soon submit them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Washington DC, says Kristersson according to SVT.
Kristersson: “We are humble but also proud”
Stax left after 17:00 Swedish time Kristersson over the signed accession documents to the US Secretary of State in the White House.
He then gave a speech in the White House where he took the opportunity to thank Biden and Blinken for their commitment. He also thanked the other 31 member states that approved Sweden’s membership in NATO.
– It is a truly historic day. Sweden is now a member of NATO. We are humble but also proud, Kristersson said in his speech.
He also called NATO entry a “massive” step, but also a natural step.
Hungary was the last country to submit its ratification of Sweden’s NATO application
Earlier on Thursday, Hungary, as the last NATO member, submitted its ratification of Sweden’s NATO application. Afterwards, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was able to invite Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty.
“Sweden will soon be NATO’s 32nd member,” writes Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) on X.
Now all that remains is for Sweden to hand over its accession protocol to the American government. It will take place at 5 pm this afternoon when Kristersson meets US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken in Washington DC.
Then Sweden is covered by the alliance’s security guarantees.
Televised speech
At home in Stockholm, the Swedish government also held an extra meeting and decided that Sweden should join NATO. The Riksdag made its decision almost a year ago.
Sweden’s entry into NATO is a historic moment. An era is over – Kristersson has previously stated that NATO membership means that Sweden leaves 200 years of non-alignment and neutrality behind.
Now a new chapter begins in the history of the Kingdom of Sweden. Now we build security, peace and freedom together with others, says Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch (KD) at a press conference in Rosenbad after the formal government decision.
Entry into NATO is a historic event of magnitude, a milestone for our country. It is also an open recognition of Sweden’s security policy domicile. We belong with the free democracies of the West.
Minister of Defence Paul Johnson (M), Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch (KD) and Integration Minister Johan Pehrson (L) following the government’s decision.
Defense Minister Pål Johnson (M), Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch (KD) and Integration Minister Johan Pehrson (L) following the government’s decision.
At 7pm tonight, the Prime Minister will deliver a televised address to the nation from Washington DC.
Russia’s invasion
The path into NATO has taken Sweden two years. It was Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that started the swing towards membership. On May 16, 2022, the then social democratic government decided that Sweden would apply to join the defense alliance.
Hungary became the last country to ratify Sweden on 26 February.
Next week, Sweden’s flag will be raised at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.