Breaking - Sweden’s Long Wait is Over

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The Hungarian Parliament has ratified Sweden’s NATO ascension protocols marking a historic day for the Nordic nation and the end of almost two years worth delays. The vote was 188 for and six against. The vote removed the last roadblock for Sweden to be accepted as the 32nd NATO member nation.

The Swedish flag will be officially raised at NATO headquarters on Friday.

NATO Secretary- General Jens Stoltenberg:

“I welcome the Hungarian parliament’s vote to ratify Sweden’s membership in NATO. Now that all Allies have approved, Sweden will become the 32nd NATO Ally. Sweden’s membership will make us all stronger and safer.”

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Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson:

“Today is a historic day. The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favour of Swedish accession to NATO. Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security.”

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Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called it a historic day.

“Glad that the Hungarian National Assembly has voted for Sweden to join NATO. I look forward to the final formalities quickly being put in place, and that we can officially welcome Sweden. That the Nordic countries come together in NATO is historic. It is a strength for our security, for NATO and for the Nordic region.”

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Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen took the opportunity to roll out an arcane bit of history.

“History does evolve for the better sometimes. Last time all the Nordic countries were part of the same Alliance was in the 15th Century in the Kalmar Union. Since then Sweden and Denmark have been at war eleven times. Now, a close defence partner, neighbor and a dear friend is a full-fledged member of NATO. This makes us stronger as an Alliance.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen took a more traditional approach:

“Finally we can welcome Sweden in NATO after today’s vote in the Hungarian parliament. NATO is stronger with Sweden as an ally.”

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Across the Baltic, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa noted that with Sweden joining NATO the Baltic Sea region is more secure.

“Latvia welcomes the Hungarian National Assembly finally ratifying Sweden's bid of becoming the 32th member of NATO. Security and defense of Latvia, the whole NATO and the Baltic Sea region will gain from it. It is a good day for transatlantic unity, resolve and deterrence.”

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This is not a good day for Russian President Vladimir Putin. One of his stated reasons for invading Ukraine was to keep NATO at bay as far from Russia’s borders as possible. Since then NATO now sits astride another 1,300 kilometers of Russia’s border with Finland. And now the strategically important Baltic Sea is sewn up among alliance member nations.

Historically, it is an astounding move for Sweden to officially join NATO for a country where military neutrality has been such a foundational Swedish value dating all the way back to the Napoleonic wars.

None of this would have happened if Russia had not invaded Ukraine.