Sweden’s flag flies high at NATO HQ as 32nd member

On Monday, the Swedish flag was hoisted at NATO’s headquarters, marking Sweden’s official entry as the 32nd member of the military alliance, a significant shift influenced by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine which motivated Sweden to abandon its long-standing neutrality in favor of NATO’s protective alliance.

Amidst a backdrop of rain, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg witnessed the ceremonial addition of Sweden’s blue and yellow flag to the array of member countries’ flags in Brussels, Belgium.

Kristersson, expressing both pride and humility, pledged Sweden’s commitment to sharing the burdens and risks alongside its allies, following Sweden’s official membership initiation into NATO the previous Thursday. This move came closely after Finland’s accession in April 2023, ending its own period of military nonalignment.

Finland’s defense ministry extended a warm welcome to Sweden on X, celebrating the dawn of a new era of cooperation among allies.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in February 2022 significantly shifted public opinion in Sweden and Finland, propelling both nations towards NATO membership, contrary to President Vladimir Putin’s intention of curbing the alliance’s expansion eastward. This expansion ironically resulted in NATO’s growth and the promise of Ukraine’s eventual membership, despite ongoing conflict.

Stoltenberg pointed out that Putin’s invasion, aimed at reducing NATO’s presence and undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty, had backfired, strengthening the alliance and bringing Ukraine closer to NATO than ever, with continued support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom.

Sweden’s NATO membership strategically enhances the alliance’s presence around the Baltic Sea, offering Sweden the collective defense assurance under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which ensures a collective response to attacks on any member country.

The inclusion of Sweden in NATO was highlighted by a military exercise involving 20,000 troops from 13 countries in Sweden, Finland, and Norway. This Nordic drill forms part of the broader Steadfast Defender 24 exercises, the largest NATO drills in decades, demonstrating the alliance’s readiness to defend its territory against any adversaries, from North America to the Russian border.