Sweden officially became the 32nd member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on Thursday, as confirmed during a ceremony in Washington.
This significant development was described by Secretary of State Antony Blinken as a moment marking a strategic setback for Russia.
During the ceremony, Blinken remarked, "Good things come to those who wait," while receiving the accession documents from Sweden's Prime Minister. He reflected on the unpredictability of Sweden's journey to join NATO, particularly considering the circumstances three years prior.
Blinken emphasized the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, stating, "There is no clearer example than today of the strategic debacle that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has become for Russia."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed pride in his country's decision to join NATO, considering it a victory for freedom.
He highlighted the historical shift away from Sweden's two-century-old tradition of non-alignment, especially in light of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Kristersson stated, "The accession is a victory for freedom today. Sweden has made a free, democratic, sovereign, and united choice to join NATO."
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