Under a persistent rain, Sweden formally entered as the 32nd member of NATO at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on March 11. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Crown Princess Victoria, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attended the event. They raised the blue flag featuring a yellow cross, symbolizing Sweden, signaling the country’s full-fledged NATO membership—a decision influenced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
The ceremony took place amidst a display of national unity, with government ministers and party leaders from various political backgrounds in attendance. Sweden, historically known for its post-World War II neutrality, embraced NATO membership in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Prime Minister Kristersson emphasized that the invasion had united the Swedish public, leading to the conclusion that NATO membership was the most rational choice for the nation’s security.
Finland, Sweden’s neighbor, had already joined NATO in April 2023, marking a historic departure from years of military nonalignment. Sweden, the Finnish defense ministry welcomed as “brothers and sisters in arms,” highlighting a new era of collaboration and solidarity among allies in times of peace and crisis. The formal inclusion of Sweden further strengthens NATO’s presence in the region and reflects a collective commitment to security and cooperation.
