March 7, 2024 (EIRNS)—Sweden has formally become the 32nd member of NATO, following the deposit of its official paperwork with the U.S. State Department. A brief ceremony in Washington saw Secretary of State Antony Blinken receive the documents from Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Sweden, said Kristersson, “will defend freedom together with the countries closest to us—both in terms of geography, culture and values.” He said that Sweden would soon reach the NATO goal of spending 2% of GDP on its military.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was jubilant. “Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table…. After over 200 years of nonalignment, Sweden now enjoys the protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of allies’ freedom and security.”
