Sweden joins NATO today after Hungary's vote. It will become the 32nd member of Nato after its nordic neighbour Finland's last joining in April, 2023.
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| Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson, right, NATO Secretary-General Jens, in middle, in Stoltenberg in 2023 |
After two years of negotiations, Hungary's parliament has approved Sweden's request to join NATO. This decision is expected to weaken Russian President Vladimir Putin's position. The final hurdle was to gain approval from the Hungarian Parliament, which was achieved with a majority vote of 188 to 6. The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban submitted a proposal in July 2022, but it faced opposition from ruling party lawmakers. All 31 NATO member countries must unanimously support admitting new countries. Hungary was the last country to approve Sweden's entry into NATO. Hungarian PM Orban believes that Sweden's joining NATO will strengthen Hungary's security. This article aims to explore the details of Sweden's NATO joining, including the induction protocol and its impact on the global landscape.
Understanding Sweden's Stance
Historical Neutrality
Sweden has a long-standing policy of military non-alignment, which means it remains neutral during conflicts and does not form alliances that could compromise its sovereignty. This has been a crucial aspect of Sweden's foreign policy for centuries, as it fosters a sense of independence and autonomy. In the early 19th century, after the Napoleonic wars, Sweden officially adopted a policy of neutrality. After the end of the Cold War, the policy was updated to one of military non-alignment. Although Sweden has contributed troops to international peacekeeping missions, it has not been involved in any war for more than 200 years. The last conflict it participated in was the Swedish-Norwegian War of 1814. Despite its neutrality, Sweden has an active foreign policy and is known for promoting human rights and being a major contributor of aid. It is often referred to as a "humanitarian superpower". Even though Sweden is not a member of NATO, it has developed closer ties with the alliance over the years. In 1994, Sweden joined the Partnership for Peace program, and in 1997 it became a member of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.
Shifts in Foreign Policy
However, recent geopolitical changes have led Sweden to reassess its historic neutrality. With increased concerns about security threats, particularly from Russia, Sweden has begun rethinking its military strategy. The 2014 annexation of Crimea and growing Russian military action in the Baltic Sea region have sparked concern in Stockholm, driving a shift toward greater collaboration with NATO. The majority of Swedes had long opposed full membership, and it was regarded as somewhat taboo among the Social Democrats, Sweden's largest political party. Former Social Democrat defence minister Peter Hultqvist even said in the fall of 2021 that he could "guarantee" that he would never participate in the NATO membership process. Only months later, Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine caused a significant shift in both popular perception and political party alignment. A large majority of the Swedish parliament opted to apply for membership, which the country did—along with Finland—in May 2022.
NATO's Induction Protocol
Membership Criteria
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created in 1949 by 12 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France. Its goal was to prevent growth by the Soviet Union, a group of communist countries that included Russia. Joining NATO requires achieving certain requirements established by the alliance. These requirements include adherence to democratic values, civilian control over the military, and the ability to contribute to NATO member nations' collective defence. NATO requests that member states spend at least 2% of their national income on defence. For a long time, Swedish doctrine stated that the country needed a robust military to defend its neutrality. However, once the Cold War ended, it substantially reduced its defence spending, focusing its military efforts on global peacekeeping activities. Defence spending stood for 2.6% of GDP in 1990, but the government expects it to fall to 1.2% by 2020. Following Russia's takeover of Crimea in 2014, spending increased again. Sweden said in March 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, that it will increase spending again, aiming for 2% of GDP "as soon as possible". In January, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also stated that his country is ready to provide troops to NATO's military in Latvia. With Sweden and Finland joining NATO, the Baltic Sea will be encircled by alliance members, leading some commentators to refer to it as a NATO lake.
Application Process
Sweden's possible NATO entrance comprises a formal application process in which the Swedish government requests membership in the alliance. This procedure comprises extensive deliberations inside NATO to analyze Sweden's compliance with the organization's ideals and aims. Sweden and Finland applied to join in May 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine. Finland joined in April of 2023. Its accession greatly expanded NATO's border with Russia and significantly boosted the security of the three minor Baltic countries that joined the bloc following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Sweden's admission has been delayed because of opposition from both Turkey and Hungary. The final challenge was getting the Hungarian Parliament to approve Sweden's NATO membership. Only six of the Hungarian Parliament's 194 members voted against Sweden's NATO admission. "Today is a historic day," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christerson wrote on Twitter shortly after the vote. "Sweden is ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security." America is NATO's benefactor.
NATO's Response
Sweden's application would be based on many variables, including geopolitical considerations, member-state consensus, and the strategic implications of Sweden's admission. While some NATO countries may welcome Sweden's admission to strengthen security in the Baltic Sea region, others may be concerned about antagonizing Russia. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's secretary-general, praised the vote, saying he anticipated Hungary to ratify Sweden as soon as possible. Swedish accession would make the whole Baltic shoreline NATO territory, except Russia's coast and its enclave Kaliningrad. Following Hungary's approval, Sweden is now certain to join NATO. Sweden's proposal to join NATO was unanimously approved on Monday, according to the press office of the Hungarian parliament. After two years of rigorous discussions, the Nordic nation joins the alliance.
Impact on Sweden
Security Enhancements
Joining NATO would offer Sweden stronger security guarantees, such as collective defence arrangements and improved military cooperation with other member states. This will strengthen Sweden's defence capabilities and discourage possible aggressors, promoting regional stability. As a member of NATO, the country's military calculations change in several important ways. Joining the alliance also challenges Sweden's long-held assumptions about power dynamics in a hypothetical confrontation.
Economic Implications
Membership in NATO might have serious economic consequences for Sweden, including higher defence spending to meet alliance requirements and potential prospects for defence industry partnerships with other member states. However, these economic expenses must be balanced against the long-term security advantages of NATO participation.
Political Ramifications
Sweden's NATO membership would have far-reaching political consequences, both domestically and globally. Domestically, it may raise discussions over national sovereignty and the country's customary neutrality. Internationally, it could have an impact on Sweden's ties with neighbouring nations, particularly Russia, as well as redefine its role in the European security architecture.
Global Implications
Regional Dynamics
Sweden's NATO membership would likely change the dynamics of the Baltic Sea region, potentially changing the balance of power and influencing neighbouring countries' security strategies. Regional alliances and defence postures may need to be adjusted as a result.
Relations with Russia
Russia sees NATO's expansion into its traditional sphere of influence as a security danger and has expressed significant opposition to Sweden's potential membership. Sweden's strategic island of Gotland is extremely important in the region, notably in safeguarding the Baltic republics from potential Russian threats. Sweden's NATO membership may worsen relations with Russia, resulting in diplomatic friction and potentially escalated military provocations in the region.
NATO's Expansion
The addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO has significant practical implications for how the alliance defends its allies against Russian aggression. Integrating these two countries on its northern border (the Atlantic and European Arctic) would improve measures to protect its Ukraine-adjacent centre (from the Baltic Sea to the Alps). This would boost NATO's strategic posture in Northern Europe while also solidifying its role as a cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security architecture. Sweden's admission will bring the total number of NATO member states to 32. Finland is currently NATO's newest member, having joined last year as the 31st.
Conclusion
Sweden's admission to NATO is a watershed event in European security dynamics. While it provides Sweden with stronger security assurances and strengthens NATO's collective defence stance, it also creates problems for regional stability and diplomatic relations. The choice to join NATO must be carefully considered, taking into account both the immediate security gains and the long-term geopolitical ramifications.
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