Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), On a day marked by the turning of historical pages and the reshaping of geopolitical landscapes, Stockholm’s long-anticipated accession to NATO received a resounding endorsement from Hungarian legislators, with 188 out of 199 casting their votes in favor. This act of affirmation on Monday, February 26, not only symbolizes the culmination of Sweden’s nearly two-year journey toward NATO membership but also signifies the dissolution of the final barrier obstructing its path into the Atlantic Alliance.
The narrative of Sweden’s quest for NATO membership, set against the backdrop of a Europe grappling with the tremors sent forth by Russia’s aggressive posture in Ukraine, reads like a testament to the enduring quest for collective security and stability. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, seizing the moment on X (formerly known as Twitter), heralded the event as “a historic day,” asserting Sweden’s readiness to shoulder its share of responsibilities within the Euro-Atlantic security framework.
This momentous occasion marks Sweden’s transition from a policy of over two centuries of military non-alignment to becoming the 32nd member of NATO. Such a significant shift in policy was propelled by the unanimous approval from Hungarian parliamentarians, reflecting a broad consensus on Sweden’s role in enhancing the Alliance’s collective strength. Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz both lauded Sweden’s accession as a pivotal moment that fortifies the defense alliance and, by extension, the security fabric of Europe and beyond. The United States, through the voice of State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, welcomed this development with measured optimism.
The road to this landmark achievement was fraught with diplomatic hurdles and protracted negotiations, notably with Turkey and, until recently, the hesitation of Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban. The Swedish populace, particularly in the capital, has greeted this development with open arms, signaling a collective embrace of their country’s new strategic posture.
The question that now looms large is how Russia will respond to Sweden’s NATO membership, a move that undoubtedly contravenes the Kremlin’s preference for a less militarily aligned Scandinavia. Prime Minister Kristersson, in addressing this uncertainty, acknowledged the predictable discomfort Moscow would express towards Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO affiliations.
The thaw in relations between Hungary and Sweden, catalyzed by diplomatic engagements and mutual visits by their leaders, has paved the way for a new era of cooperation. Prime Minister Orban, while previously demanding respect from Sweden and criticizing its political discourse, has recognized Sweden’s NATO membership as a boon for Hungary’s security. This dĂ©tente is further symbolized by Hungary’s acquisition of Swedish fighter jets, underscoring the tangible outcomes of diplomatic reconciliation.
Sweden’s NATO accession, necessitating unanimous approval from existing Alliance members, has been a procedural odyssey since May 2022. With Hungary’s ratification and the impending promulgation by the Hungarian president, Sweden is poised to formally join NATO, embodying a strategic pivot from centuries of military non-alignment to an active participant in collective defense.
This expansion of NATO into Sweden, following Finland’s earlier accession, transforms the Baltic Sea into a region encircled by NATO member states, a strategic realignment some analysts liken to the transformation of the Baltic into a “Lake NATO.” This development, as described by Robert Dalsjö of the Swedish Defence Research Agency, signifies the completion of NATO’s Northern European contour.
Sweden’s journey towards NATO membership has been accompanied by a notable shift in the country’s defense rhetoric, with Swedish military leaders openly discussing the imperative of wartime preparedness. Prime Minister Kristersson, reflecting on this new chapter, emphasized the historic unity of the Nordic countries under a common defense umbrella for the first time in half a millennium.
In addition to its NATO ambitions, Sweden has also expanded its defense cooperation with the United States, granting access to 17 military bases on Swedish soil. This agreement, signed in early December, further cements Sweden’s commitment to a robust and interconnected security architecture, marking a new epoch in its national defense strategy and in the broader narrative of Euro-Atlantic security.
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