Sweden officially joins NATO after completing its accession process, ending decades of neutrality
Sweden has formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality
By MATTHEW LEE and LORNE COOK
Published - Mar 07, 2024, 11:30 AM ET
Last Updated - Mar 07, 2024, 11:30 AM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality as concerns about Russian aggression in Europe have spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
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.
The White House said that having Sweden as a NATO ally “will make the United States and our allies even safer.”
