Sweden’s entry into NATO signals the departure from its historic stance of neutrality
Sweden sought NATO membership in response to growing security concerns.
In a significant shift after more than two centuries of neutrality, Sweden is poised to become the 32nd member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) following the Hungarian parliament’s ratification of its application.
The move, coming in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has reshaped Sweden’s foreign policy stance from one of non-alignment to actively joining the collective defense and democratic values championed by the United States and its allies.
Sweden, alongside its neighbor Finland, sought NATO membership in response to growing security concerns in the region, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Finland’s membership was confirmed in 2023, Sweden’s accession journey concluded with Hungary’s approval, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson heralded the development as “historic,” emphasizing Sweden’s commitment to contributing to NATO’s collective security obligations in a message on X (formerly Twitter).
Echoing this sentiment, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Sweden’s impending accession, affirming that it would “make our Alliance stronger and safer,” reinforcing the strategic unity and defensive posture of the member states in facing current and future security challenges.
From Neutrality to NATO: Historical Shift in Security Policy
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The country’s ascent to prominence was marked by its role in the Thirty Years’ War, which positioned Sweden as a significant European power. However, the tides of power shifted during the Great Northern War, with Sweden ceding its dominant status to the burgeoning Russian Empire. The pivotal moment came in 1809, when Sweden, defeated in the Finnish War, was compelled to relinquish Finland to Russia, diminishing its territorial and political influence.
In the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, Sweden’s acquisition of Norway from Denmark, as stipulated by the Treaty of Kiel, and the subsequent Swedish-Norwegian War of 1814, signified the last of Sweden’s military engagements. From then on, Sweden embarked on a path of neutrality, a stance that was later refined to non-alignment post-Cold War, maintaining its distance from military alliances while participating in international peacekeeping efforts.
Despite its historic abstention from global conflicts, including both world wars, Sweden’s security policy underwent a monumental shift in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This event, perceived as a direct threat by the Swedish populace, catalyzed a reevaluation of the nation’s long-held neutrality.
The shift in public and political sentiment culminated in Sweden’s application to join NATO on May 18, 2022, a decision that marked a departure from over two centuries of military non-alignment.
NATO’s formal invitation to Sweden and Finland in June 2022, followed by the signing of accession protocols, signified a new chapter in Sweden’s defense strategy, emphasizing collective security over historical neutrality.
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