Sweden officially became a member of NATO on Thursday, following a comprehensive reassessment of its national security policy.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is currently in Washington to deliver the final documentation, with the White House announcing Sweden's accession would take place on Thursday.
Kristersson stated that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had notified him of Sweden's formal invitation to join following acceptance of the country’s accession protocol by all member states.
NATO considers the accession of Sweden and Finland—countries sharing an 830-mile border with Russia—as the most significant expansion in decades.
Sweden contributes cutting-edge submarines and a substantial fleet of domestically produced Gripen fighter jets to NATO forces, enhancing the alliance's capabilities. Sweden also serves as a vital link between the Atlantic and Baltic regions.
In response to Sweden's decision, Russia has threatened to implement unspecified “political and military-technical counter-measures.”
Turkey endorsed Sweden's application in January.
Hungary postponed its decision until Kristersson's goodwill visit to Budapest on February 23, during which the two countries reached an agreement on a fighter jet deal.
