Sweden joins NATO, ending decades of neutrality

WASHINGTON — Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the military alliance, ending decades of neutrality and centuries of broader non-alignment with major powers.

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 ... Ukraine, he thought he could weaken Europe and divide NATO,” Biden said in a statement, which he was expected to echo in his State of the Union address to Congress later Thursday.

“Instead, in May 2022, Sweden and Finland — two of our close partners, with two highly capable militaries — (decided) 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.”

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Secretary of State Antony Blinken presided at a ceremony in which Sweden’s “instrument of accession” to the alliance was officially deposited.

“This is a historic moment for Sweden. It’s historic for the alliance. It’s historic for the transatlantic relationship,” Blinken said. “Our NATO alliance is now stronger (than ever).”

“Today is truly a historic day,” Kristersson said. “We are humbled, but we are also proud. We will live up to high expectations from all NATO allies. United we stand. Unity and solidarity will be Sweden’s guiding light

NATO SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg also described it as “a historic day.”