Sweden officially becomes 32nd member of NATO in Washington ceremony

WASHINGTON: Sweden becomes the 32nd member of NATO with the handover of documents at a ceremony in Washington, turning the page on two centuries of non-alignment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Good things come to those who wait," Secretary of State Antony Blinken says as he accepts the accession documents from Sweden's prime minister, following ratification by the 31 other alliance members. 

Kristersson said Sweden is humbled to become a member of NATO and is prepared to take on the responsibility of working with fellow member nations in keeping the region secure.

"We will live up to high expectations from all NATO allies, united we stand," he said. "Unity and solidarity will be Sweden's guiding light as a NATO member, where we share burdens, responsibilities and risks with other allies."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in comments Thursday that Sweden is taking its "rightful place" among many of its European neighbors who are already part of the alliance to help shape NATO's policies and decisions.

"After over 200 years of non-alignment Sweden now enjoys the protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of Allies' freedom and security," Stoltenberg said. "Sweden brings with it capable armed forces and a first-class defense industry.

"Sweden's accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole alliance more secure."

Sweden's flag will be raised for the first time along with other members at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday.

Sweden and Finland asked for admittance into NATO shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but Sweden's application was slowed by Hungary, who kept ties with the Kremlin, and Turkey, which was concerned about Sweden's response to Islamophobia there.

COPENHAGEN/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom will travel to Washington on Wednesday, the government said, where they are expected to complete the process of joining NATO.

Sweden will immediately become NATO's 32nd member when it deposits the formal documentation, marking an end to 200 years during which Stockholm avoided military alliances and adopted a neutral stance in times of war.

A spokesperson for Kristersson declined to give any further details beyond the brief government statement.

After years of warning Sweden and Finland they should not join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has achieved what President Vladimir Putin sought to avert - an expansion of the alliance, Western leaders have said.

As a NATO member Sweden, with its cutting-edge submarines and Gripen fighter jets, will be a crucial link between the Atlantic and the Baltic states in times of crisis.

It will benefit from the alliance's common defence guarantee under which an attack on one member is regarded as an attack on all.

Russia said it would adopt unspecified military-technical and other counter measures in response to Swedish NATO membership.

Sweden's application, made alongside neighbour Finland in May 2022, has been delayed by Turkey and Hungary.

Turkey gave its approval in January and on Tuesday Hungary's president followed suit, clearing the final hurdle to Sweden's membership.

Hungary is expected to hand over the last documents to the U.S. administration on Thursday, Swedish news agency TT said, without giving any sources.

Sweden has to wait until that happens before it can complete the formalities of NATO membership.

(This story has been corrected to change the date of Turkish approval to January, from last month, in paragraph 9)