Sweden officially joins NATO, ending decades of neutrality

WASHINGTON — Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutral- ity and centuries of broader non-alignment with major powers as security concerns in Europe have spiked fol- lowing Russia’s 2022 inva- sion of Ukraine.

President Joe Biden con- gratulated Sweden on its admission and said it was a sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interven- tion in Ukraine had united, rather than divided, the alliance.

“When Putin launched his brutal war of aggres- sion against the people of Ukraine, he thought he could weaken Europe and divide NATO,” Biden said in a statement, which he is 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 — made the historic deci- sion to apply for full NATO membership,” Biden said. “With the addition of Swe- den today, NATO stands more united, determined, and dynamic than ever— now 32 nations strong.”

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Secre- tary of State Antony Blinken presided at a ceremony in which Sweden’s “instrument of accession” to the alliance was officially deposited at the State Department. “This is a historic moment r Sweden. It’s historic for the alliance. It’s historic for the transatlantic relationship,” Blinken said. “Our NATO alliance is now stronger, larger than it’s ever been.”

“Today is truly a historic day,” Kristersson said. “We

humbled, but we are also proud. We wi l live up to high expectations from all NATO allies. United we stand. Unity and solidarity will be Sweden’s guiding light.

Later Thursday. Kristersson was to visit the White House and then be a guest of honor at Biden’s State of the Union address.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also described it as “a historic day.”

weden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions,” he said in a statement.

The Swedish flag will be raised outside the military organization’s headquarters in Brussels on Monday. Stoltenberg underscored that the Nordic country “now enjoys

e protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of allies’ freedom and security.”

Article 5 of NATO’s treaty obliges all members to come to the aid of an ally whose territory or security is under threat. It has only been activated once – by the U.S. after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks – and is the collective security guarantee that Sweden has sought since Russia invaded Ukraine.

“Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole alliance more secure,” Stoltenberg said. He added that the move “demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that every nation has the right to choose its own path.”