In a significant shift in defense policy, Sweden has officially become the 32nd member of NATO after a months-long process. The accession documents were formally handed over by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to the US State Department in Washington, DC. This move comes in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which prompted Sweden to reevaluate its long-standing position of neutrality.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the extensive diplomatic efforts made by NATO members, describing the documents as the result of "nearly two years of tireless diplomacy." The documents have been safely stored in a vault at the State Department, which serves as the treaty depositary for NATO.

Sweden's decision to join NATO was a remarkable departure from its neutral stance in both World Wars. The threatening advance of Russian troops towards Kyiv in February 2022 alerted Sweden, as well as its neighboring country Finland, to the potential danger posed by Moscow. Finland officially joined NATO in April 2023, significantly expanding NATO's border with Russia and challenging President Vladimir Putin's attempts to limit the alliance's growth.

Secretary Blinken reflected on the unforeseeable nature of these developments, stating, "If you step back and think of where we were three years ago, none of this was foreordained." He also highlighted Sweden's long-standing policy of non-alignment, dating back to the Napoleonic Wars, and the Swedish population's lack of interest in joining NATO before Russia's invasion.

US President Joe Biden welcomed Sweden's accession, emphasizing that it made NATO "more united, determined, and dynamic than ever." He expressed his belief that the alliance would continue to stand for freedom and democracy for future generations. Sweden's accession took place just hours before President Biden's State of the Union address, where he is expected to underscore the importance of democracy and key alliances like NATO, setting them apart from the previous administration.

Both Sweden and Finland's membership in NATO was hailed as reinforcing the alliance's values and principles. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak praised their commitment to international security, particularly concerning Russia's threats and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Sweden's support, highlighting their strong alliance and trustworthiness. He predicted a future day when Ukraine would join NATO, symbolizing their shared strength.

Prime Minister Kristersson expressed his gratitude to his allies for welcoming Sweden into the bloc. He pledged to promote unity, solidarity, and burden-sharing, emphasizing Sweden's full adherence to the values outlined in the Washington Treaty: freedom, democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.

While Finland's NATO accession faced relatively few obstacles, Sweden encountered delays due to objections from Turkey and Hungary. Turkey's parliament eventually approved Sweden's bid in January, after tensions between the two nations were sparked by Quran-burning protests in Sweden. Hungary, on the other hand, took longer to approve Sweden's accession. Prime Minister Viktor Orban had declined to give the green light on several occasions but eventually gained parliamentary approval last month.

Sweden's formal entry into NATO marks a significant step in reinforcing the alliance's presence and security in the Euro-Atlantic region. The nation's decision to abandon neutrality in the face of Russia's actions in Ukraine underscores the changing dynamics of European defense cooperation.