Sweden is now a full NATO member

Source: Politico | March 7, 2024 | Stuart Lau

It is now covered by the alliance’s Article 5, obliging all other members to come to each other’s defense if they are attacked.

Sweden Thursday became NATO’s newest member, dropping its long-standing neutrality and joining the alliance in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.

The accession became official in the wake of Hungary submitting its ratification protocol; it was the final one of 31 alliance members to give Sweden the nod.

With Sweden now a full member of NATO, it is covered by the alliance’s Article 5, obliging all other members to come to each other’s defense if they are attacked.

Top Swedish officials led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson gathered in Washington Thursday to mark the end of a gruelling application process that began on May 17, 2022. He’s been invited to watch U.S. President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address later this evening.

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Sweden’s neighbor Finland joined the alliance on April 4. With the two Nordic countries in the alliance, NATO controls almost all of the Baltic Sea — a strategic blow to Russia.

Sweden also has a well-equipped military and a strong arms industry. The country aims to spend 2.1 percent of GDP on defense this year, above NATO’s target and almost double of what it was spending in 2020.

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