On Monday, Hungary’s parliament decisively approved Sweden’s NATO membership proposal, ending nearly two years of heated discussions and delivering a strategic setback to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This last Hungarian parliament confirmation sealed Stockholm’s NATO membership.
On Friday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited Budapest, which helped win Hungary’s backing. The leaders reached a defense and security cooperation agreement. Hungary will buy four Swedish-made Gripen fighter planes under the arrangement.
Only six of 194 parliamentary votes opposed Sweden’s NATO membership, demonstrating overwhelming support. Soon after the vote, Kristersson called it a “historic day,” emphasizing Sweden’s Euro-Atlantic security.
After submitting its instrument of admission to the US government, the North Atlantic Treaty’s repository, Sweden will join NATO. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, “Sweden’s membership will make us all stronger and safer.”
NATO will have 32 members after Sweden joins, a significant development given Russia’s recent activities. Finland joined NATO last year as the 31st member, and Sweden and Finland abandoned their non-alignment policy when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Nordic countries joining NATO shows the alliance’s openness to those that uphold its values. Hungary and Turkey took longer to approve Sweden and Finland’s applications than most NATO members. Hungary’s recent ratification reflects its concern in Europe’s security and Sweden’s NATO standing.
Sweden’s membership to NATO at a crucial time in the Ukraine conflict shows a united stance against aggression and strengthens Euro-Atlantic security.
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