Sweden formally joins Nato military alliance

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that unity and solidarity would be Sweden’s “guiding lights. 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. Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on X that Sweden brings with it “capable armed forces and a first-class defence industry. Nato will continue to stand for freedom and democracy for generations to come, US President Joe Biden says.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: We’ve known from day one that we would be here one day. Sweden applied to join the defence alliance after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But its request was blocked by two members. Turkey initially withheld approval in a row over what it called Sweden“s support to Kurdish separatists.

It eventually lifted its veto in January of this year. Sweden joined Nato last year, doubling the length of the alliance’s border with Russia. All Nato members are expected to help an ally which comes under attack. A flag-raising ceremony will take place at the Nato headquarters in Brussels on Monday to mark Sweden’s accession.

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