Budapest, Hungary – Sweden’s long-awaited approval to join NATO was finally granted by the Hungarian parliament on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the Nordic country’s path to alliance membership. After nearly two years of negotiations, the Hungarian parliament’s overwhelming support for Sweden’s bid dealt a blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical interests.
The final hurdle for Sweden’s accession to NATO was cleared during a visit by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Budapest, where he met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to discuss defense and security cooperation. The agreement between the two leaders also included Hungary’s acquisition of four new Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, enhancing both countries’ military capabilities.
Out of the 194 members of parliament who voted, only six rejected Sweden’s accession, reflecting a strong approval within the Hungarian government for Sweden’s entry into NATO. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his gratitude for the historic day following the vote, emphasizing Sweden’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.
With the formal approval from Hungary, Sweden is now set to become the 32nd member of NATO, further expanding the alliance’s reach along Russia’s borders. Finland became the 31st NATO member last year, solidifying the bloc’s presence in Northern Europe and underlining the region’s commitment to collective defense.
The decision for Sweden to join NATO comes at a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Russia gaining ground on the battlefield and Western support for Kyiv showing signs of strain. The rise of populist sentiment in Europe and the United States ahead of upcoming elections poses a challenge to efforts to counter Russian aggression and support Ukraine.
Despite initial concerns about Hungary’s stance on Sweden’s NATO membership, recent developments have shown a shift towards alignment with European foreign policy goals. Hungary’s approval of Sweden’s entry into NATO underscores the country’s vested interest in Europe’s security and the strengthening of the alliance against shared threats.
Overall, Sweden’s accession to NATO represents a significant step towards bolstering Euro-Atlantic security and enhancing collective defense efforts in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges. The approval from the Hungarian parliament paves the way for Sweden to formally join the alliance and contribute to the advancement of NATO’s strategic objectives in the region.