Sweden wants to join NATO. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said his country met its obligations under an agreement with Turkey to join the military alliance and it’s time for Turkey’s Parliament to begin the ratification process.
When he invaded Ukraine last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said one of his goals was to prevent NATO from growing stronger. That strategy failed miserably.
NATO member countries are increasing their own defense spending to record levels, and after decades of military non-alignment, both Sweden and Finland asked to join NATO. Finland was granted entry in April; Sweden is trying to become the alliance’s 32nd member.
Entry into NATO needs to be approved by all its members, but Turkey continues to block Sweden’s bid to join citing security concerns. Turkey accuses Sweden of harboring militant groups it considers terrorists. Ankara is also upset about anti-Turkey protesters in Stockholm.
Sweden said it’s done what it can within the law to meet Turkey’s demands.
Hungary is another NATO member standing in the way of Sweden’s acceptance. Hungary still has fairly close ties with Russia, leading to accusations Hungary is working as Putin’s Trojan Horse within the alliance. But Hungary is also trying to buy $735 million worth of weaponry from the U.S., including HIMARS launchers. Idaho Sen. James Risch (R) is holding up that deal until Hungary changes its mind on Sweden.
While it may not be a full-fledged member, Sweden is still a very close ally to the United States and other NATO-member countries. Sweden takes part in NATO exercises and a U.S. Air Force B1 bomber just landed in Sweden for the first time. The USAF said while there have been exercises conducted with Swedish forces in the past, the landing of the B1 fortifies not only the friendship between the countries, but the collective defense of Europe.
Sweden’s role in defending European democracies is already on display in Ukraine. The Swedes gave Ukraine millions in financial aid and also donated weapons systems like missile batteries, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Ukraine is working with the Czech Republic and Slovakia to buy another thousand Swedish-made CV90 IFVs. The deal is worth billions of euros and further solidifies Sweden’s role in the overall European defense picture.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said because of all the training the Swedes have already done with Western allies, the Swedish military could quickly be interoperable with NATO forces. Austin also said Swedish membership would enhance NATO’s ability to defend the Northern Baltics, an area of growing concern as Arctic ice recedes, opening up potentially new shipping lanes.
NATO is holding a July summit in Lithuania. Sweden, the U.S., and the overwhelming majority of NATO member countries said they hope Sweden’s bid to join will be accepted by then.
Reuters contributed to this report.
