Sweden has been technically neutral since the Great War, despite its Viking past and military history. This neutrality ended on Thursday when Sweden was officially approved to join NATO.
Sweden officially joined NATO on Thursday as the 32nd member, ending decades after World War II of neutrality. Concerns about Russian aggression have increased in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kritersson and Secretary Antony Blinken were present at a ceremony where Sweden’s ‘instrument of entry’ to the alliance, was officially deposited with the State Department.
“This is a historic moment for Sweden and for the alliance,” Blinken stated, “It’s history for the transatlantic relationship.” “Our NATO alliance is stronger and larger than ever before.”
Kristersson stated in a post on social media that “we have become a safer nation.”
Sweden’s entry into the North Atlantic Organization follows closely behind Finland’s, which also broke a Scandinavian tradition of neutrality. Two NATO nations, Hungary, and Turkey, had held back Sweden’s admission. Turkey approved Sweden’s entry earlier this year and Hungary’s just a few days ago.
Sweden now has full protection under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The move comes as some Europeans are worried about the increasing bellicosity of Vladimir Putin’s Russia. They invaded Ukraine in 2020 and have been rumored to have more territorial ambitions.
Stoltenberg stated that “Sweden joining NATO makes NATO stronger and Sweden safer, making the entire alliance more secure.” Stoltenberg said that Sweden’s accession “demonstrates that NATO remains open and every nation has the freedom to choose their path.”
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the beginning of 2022, Sweden and Finland, who both joined NATO in 2018, abandoned their long-standing neutrality, which was a hallmark of Nordic Cold War foreign policies.
Sweden has a small, but well-equipped army despite being neutral in both world wars. Sweden’s current force structure plan is to have a volunteer force alongside a reconstituted national service (conscripted) system, consisting of 3 maneuver brigades by 2025, which are a mixture of armored and mechanized infantry.
Sweden also participates in the Nordic Battlegroup. This group consists of 2,500 soldiers from Finland, Norway, and Ireland as well as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The majority of the troops are from Sweden, with 1,900 Swedish soldiers being assigned. The Nordic Battlegroup is composed of a mechanized infantry unit with the ability to quickly deploy support forces.
In any battle today for vital Atlantic trade routes the Scandinavians would not be able to enjoy their former luxury of neutrality.
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