Sweden joined NATO in Washington on Thursday, two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine forced it to rethink its national security policy and conclude that support for the alliance was the Scandinavian nation's best guarantee of safety. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson handed over the final documentation to the U.S. government on Thursday, the last step in a drawn-out process to secure the backing of all members to join the military alliance.

Sweden formally joins NATO military alliance, ends decades of neutrality

Sweden joined NATO in Washington on Thursday, two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine forced it to rethink its national security policy and conclude that support for the alliance was the Scandinavian nation's best guarantee of safety.

Sweden joins NATO as war in Ukraine prompts security rethink

Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Thursday. Sweden is now a NATO member State making it the newest member of the military Alliance. Watch to know more!

Sweden officially joins NATO military alliance, becomes 32nd member

British foreign minister David Cameron said on Thursday there was "incredible unity" between NATO allies when asked about an intercepted online call between senior German military officials about Ukraine which included details of British operations.

David Cameron visits Germany, praises NATO unity | Comments on Russian interception of German call

Sweden joins NATO military alliance, abandons its non-alignment policy

Sweden officially joined NATO in Washington on Thursday (March 7), prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson submitted the necessary paperwork, completing the process of gaining alliance support.

"Good things come to those who wait," US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken said as he received Sweden's accession documents from Kristersson.

"This is a historic moment for Sweden, for our alliance and for the transatlantic relationship," Blinken said.

<h2>Why is this inclusion historic?</h2>

The inclusion of Sweden and Finland into NATO,&nbsp;particularly noteworthy given Finland's 1,340 km border with Russia, marks the alliance's most substantial expansion in decades. Additionally, it represents a setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to impede further reinforcement of the alliance.

"Today is a truly historic day. Sweden is now a member of NATO," Kristersson said.

"The reason this is such a strong, powerful fit, is because Sweden embodies and promotes the core values that are at the core of NATO - democracy, liberty, the rule of law," Blinken said.

Sweden stands to gain from the alliance's shared defence guarantee, wherein an assault on any member is interpreted as an assault on all.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-uk-strongly-backs-dutch-pm-mark-rutte-to-be-next-nato-chief-692842">Also read |&nbsp;US, UK 'strongly' back Dutch PM Mark Rutte to be next NATO chief</a>

Sweden's inclusion in NATO would bolster the alliance's capabilities with state-of-the-art submarines and a significant fleet of domestically manufactured Gripen fighter jets, serving as a crucial link between the Atlantic and Baltic regions. In response to Sweden's decision, Russia has threatened unspecified "political and military-technical counter-measures".

Despite drawing closer to NATO over the past two decades, Sweden's membership signifies a departure from its historical stance of neutrality and military non-alignment, maintained for over two centuries. Following World War II, Sweden gained international recognition as a champion of human rights and gradually reduced military spending after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Also watch |&nbsp;US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomes NATO's new member Sweden

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Although Sweden's defence minister rejected NATO membership as recently as 2021, the subsequent government, led by the Social Democrats, applied for membership alongside Finland. While Finland joined the alliance the previous year, Sweden faced delays as Turkey and Hungary, with amicable ties to Russia, postponed ratifying its accession. Turkey eventually approved Sweden's application in January, while Hungary awaited Prime Minister Kristersson's visit to Budapest on February 23, resulting in an agreement on a fighter jet deal between the two nations.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Sweden officially joined NATO in Washington on Thursday (March 7), prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson submitted the necessary paperwork, completing the process of gaining alliance support.

Sweden officially joined NATO in Washington on Thursday (March 7), prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson submitted the necessary paperwork, completing the process of gaining alliance support. "Good things come to those who wait," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said as he received Sweden's accession documents from Kristersson. "This is a historic moment for Sweden, for our alliance and for the transatlantic relationship," Blinken said. Why is this inclusion historic? The inclusion of Sweden and Finland into NATO, particularly noteworthy given Finland's 1,340 km border with Russia, marks the alliance's most substantial expansion in decades. Additionally, it represents a setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to impede further reinforcement of the alliance. "Today is a truly historic day. Sweden is now a member of NATO," Kristersson said. "The reason this is such a strong, powerful fit, is because Sweden embodies and promotes the core values that are at the core of NATO - democracy, liberty, the rule of law," Blinken said. Sweden stands to gain from the alliance's shared defence guarantee, wherein an assault on any member is interpreted as an assault on all. Also read | US, UK 'strongly' back Dutch PM Mark Rutte to be next NATO chief Sweden's inclusion in NATO would bolster the alliance's capabilities with state-of-the-art submarines and a significant fleet of domestically manufactured Gripen fighter jets, serving as a crucial link between the Atlantic and Baltic regions. In response to Sweden's decision, Russia has threatened unspecified "political and military-technical counter-measures". Despite drawing closer to NATO over the past two decades, Sweden's membership signifies a departure from its historical stance of neutrality and military non-alignment, maintained for over two centuries. Following World War II, Sweden gained international recognition as a champion of human rights and gradually reduced military spending after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Also watch | US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomes NATO's new member Sweden Although Sweden's defence minister rejected NATO membership as recently as 2021, the subsequent government, led by the Social Democrats, applied for membership alongside Finland. While Finland joined the alliance the previous year, Sweden faced delays as Turkey and Hungary, with amicable ties to Russia, postponed ratifying its accession. Turkey eventually approved Sweden's application in January, while Hungary awaited Prime Minister Kristersson's visit to Budapest on February 23, resulting in an agreement on a fighter jet deal between the two nations. (With inputs from agencies)

Sweden officially joins NATO amid security concerns triggered by Russia-Ukraine war

US President Joe Biden kicked off his speech by calling for Congress to support Ukraine. Anyone who thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin will stop with the war in Ukraine is wrong, he said. "Now my predecessor, a former Republican president, tells Putin, quote, 'Do whatever you want,'" Biden said. "I think it's outrageous, it's dangerous and it's unacceptable." Biden, who has been pushing Congress to provide additional funding to Ukraine for its war with Russia, also had a message for Putin: "We will not walk away," he said.

US State of Union Address 2024: President Joe Biden welcomes Sweden to NATO

Sweden officially joins NATO alliance

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Sweden officially joins NATO after completing its accession

Sweden officially joins NATO after completing its accession | This ends Sweden's neutrality stand

On Thursday, Sweden formally joined NATO in Washington, two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted a reevaluation of the country's national security strategy and the realization that membership in the alliance offered the greatest assurance of protection for the Scandinavian nation.

Sweden joins NATO military alliance amid Ukraine war, abandons non-alignment policy

Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Washington on Thursday (March 7), two years after the Russia-Ukraine war raised security concerns. The war, which started on February 24, 2024, forced Stockholm to rethink its national security policy and decide that support for the alliance was the Scandinavian nation's best guarantee of security.&nbsp;

However, a report by the Financial Times mentioned that NATO membership may turn Sweden into a logistics hub and a reinforcement route.&nbsp;

The report noted that Sweden includes the island of Gotland, which opens up fresh supply and reinforcement lines. It will allow the NATO nations to use it as a transportation hub, facilitating the defence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These nations formerly relied on the Suwalki Gap, which is a thin strip separating the Baltic countries from Poland.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sanctions-against-moscow-backfire-us-spent-20mn-to-maintain-superyacht-seized-from-russian-oligarch-697675">Sanctions against Moscow backfire? US spent $20mn to maintain superyacht seized from Russian oligarch</a>&nbsp;

As quoted in the paper, Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said, "The Baltic Sea becomes a NATO lake. It reduces the vulnerability of the Baltics through only the Suwalki Gap. The entire security of the region is made stronger because it makes the eastern Baltic less vulnerable."&nbsp;

The paper further quoted Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt as saying that Sweden and Finland's membership will also "enable NATO to look at northern Europe as one big region, without a gaping hole in the map".&nbsp;

Experts have warned that the Ukraine war might spread in Europe, and include&nbsp;other nations as well. It has subsequently amplified the need for NATO's better control and accessibility in the continent.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eus-von-der-leyen-wins-conservatives-backing-to-lead-bloc-for-5-more-years-697691">EU's von der Leyen wins conservatives' backing to lead bloc for 5 more years</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine urges faster delivery of western arms&nbsp;

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A Russian military official said that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may grow to include additional proxy troops in the military confrontation with Russia.&nbsp;

Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky, who is the chief of the Military Academy of the Russian General Staff, wrote in an article published in the Voennaya Mysl (Military Thought) magazine that the spread of war may lead to a direct military battle with Russia itself, or possibly to a full-fledged war in Europe.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"How the situation may evolve is currently hard to predict, amid the rising controversy that almost always leads to the use of force. The Ukraine conflict could well escalate to include an expanded list of proxy forces being used for the military confrontation with Russia, or even to a large-scale war in Europe," the Russian general said.&nbsp;

Zarudnitsky cautioned against playing down military threats to domestic security. "In order to weaken our country, the United States and Western countries are making every effort to destabilize the social and political situation in Russia, using religious, ethnic or civilizational strife that may also lead to the use of force," he warned.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Washington on Thursday (March 7), two years after the Russia-Ukraine war raised security concerns.

Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Washington on Thursday (March 7), two years after the Russia-Ukraine war raised security concerns. The war, which started on February 24, 2024, forced Stockholm to rethink its national security policy and decide that support for the alliance was the Scandinavian nation's best guarantee of security. However, a report by the Financial Times mentioned that NATO membership may turn Sweden into a logistics hub and a reinforcement route. The report noted that Sweden includes the island of Gotland, which opens up fresh supply and reinforcement lines. It will allow the NATO nations to use it as a transportation hub, facilitating the defence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These nations formerly relied on the Suwalki Gap, which is a thin strip separating the Baltic countries from Poland. Also read: Sanctions against Moscow backfire? US spent $20mn to maintain superyacht seized from Russian oligarch As quoted in the paper, Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said, "The Baltic Sea becomes a NATO lake. It reduces the vulnerability of the Baltics through only the Suwalki Gap. The entire security of the region is made stronger because it makes the eastern Baltic less vulnerable." The paper further quoted Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt as saying that Sweden and Finland's membership will also "enable NATO to look at northern Europe as one big region, without a gaping hole in the map". Experts have warned that the Ukraine war might spread in Europe, and include other nations as well. It has subsequently amplified the need for NATO's better control and accessibility in the continent. Also read: EU's von der Leyen wins conservatives' backing to lead bloc for 5 more years Watch: Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine urges faster delivery of western arms × A Russian military official said that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may grow to include additional proxy troops in the military confrontation with Russia. Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky, who is the chief of the Military Academy of the Russian General Staff, wrote in an article published in the Voennaya Mysl (Military Thought) magazine that the spread of war may lead to a direct military battle with Russia itself, or possibly to a full-fledged war in Europe. "How the situation may evolve is currently hard to predict, amid the rising controversy that almost always leads to the use of force. The Ukraine conflict could well escalate to include an expanded list of proxy forces being used for the military confrontation with Russia, or even to a large-scale war in Europe," the Russian general said. Zarudnitsky cautioned against playing down military threats to domestic security. "In order to weaken our country, the United States and Western countries are making every effort to destabilize the social and political situation in Russia, using religious, ethnic or civilizational strife that may also lead to the use of force," he warned. (With inputs from agencies)

New NATO member Sweden may turn into logistics hub for military alliance: Report

David Cameron stresses UK-German unity when asked about leaked call and Russian interception

Sweden's NATO accession ends era of go-it-alone security

NATO has begun an extensive military exercise across its newly enlarged Nordic territories spanning Norway, Sweden and Finland. Nordic Response 2024 involves a total of 20,000 troops from NATO member states including the UK. Watch to know more!

NATO launches 'Steadfast Defender 2024' exercise with Nordic nations Finland, Sweden & Norway

Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Secretary 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.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomes NATO's new member Sweden

Swedish and Finnish marines engaged in amphibious operations from a US Navy warship in the Norwegian Arctic, as part of preparation for the Nordic Response 2024 exercise, part of NATO’s large-scale exercise Steadfast Defender 2024.

NATO launches mega exercises with Nordic nations Finland, Sweden and Norway

NATO launches biggest exercises in decades with Nordic nations Finland, Sweden & Norway

NATO has begun an extensive military exercise across its newly enlarged Nordic territories spanning Norway, Sweden and Finland. Nordic Response 2024 involves a total of 20,000 troops from NATO member states including the UK.

Fears are rising among intelligence experts that the German military leaks are just the 'tip of the iceberg' as they warn that NATO secrets may have been compromised. Watch in for more details!

German military leaks jolt NATO, fears leaks are just 'tip of the iceberg'

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