“Today is a historic day,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson previously wrote on Twitter. “The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favor of Sweden’s accession to NATO. Sweden is ready to assume its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security.
Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg She welcomed Hungary's vote, saying: “Sweden's membership will make us all stronger and safer.”
While the alliance is already larger than ever and stronger than it has been in years, many months of obstruction by Turkey, followed by persistent delays by Hungary, have highlighted the challenge of keeping the allies together, even in the face of an aggressive Russia. Retaliation.
The ratification in Budapest comes at a time when NATO allies are struggling to remain united on aid to Ukraine, and the alliance is trying to project confidence despite unease over statements by former – and likely future – US President Donald Trump.
So, when the Allies finally gather at NATO headquarters in Brussels to raise the Swedish flag, there will certainly be celebrations, but also weary sighs of relief.
After the signing of the Hungarian instrument of ratification, only a few formalities will remain. NATO officials and diplomats said the alliance would try to move quickly, and ideally would formalize membership by the end of the week, although it could take longer.
NATO's expansion is a tangible sign of the changes brought about by Russia's war in Ukraine. Following the large-scale Russian invasion two years ago, Finland and Sweden abandoned years of military non-alignment in pursuit of security within NATO. Their accession requires unanimous support from all other Member States.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Putin's closest ally in the European Union, said he would not be the last holdout. But at Sweden's request, it was.
Orbán's main stated objection was Swedish officials' comments about the erosion of democracy in Hungary.
His list of demands was not nearly as long or detailed as that of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has requested F-16 fighter jets from the United States and lifted an arms embargo imposed by several countries, while also insisting that Sweden crack down on terrorist groups. Türkiye considers terrorists and prohibits the burning of the Qur’an in protests.
Even after the Turkish parliament ratified Sweden's membership in January, after 20 months of debate and disagreement, Orban stressed that Sweden's accession to NATO was inevitable. It is negotiated.
He pressured the Swedish Prime Minister to visit him in Budapest, and not only met him on the sidelines of the European Union summit in Brussels.
Kristersson eventually agreed, and on Friday, in the Hungarian capital, the two signed an agreement to expand Budapest's fleet of Swedish-made fighter jets.
Orban described the agreement as part of a process to repair damaged confidence.
He added: “Being a member of NATO with another country means that we are ready to die for each other.” “So, if you want to have this kind of strong relationship, you need the right foundation for it, especially trust and mutual respect.”
He reflected that Hungary's slowness in approving Sweden's NATO membership was “cautious and proper preparation”, conducted at the right pace.
In his speech to the Hungarian parliament before the vote on Monday, Orban spoke in favor of Sweden joining NATO. He also spoke about the long and contentious relationship between Hungary and Scandinavia, and how attempts by outsiders to intervene in those disputes have hampered their resolution.
Orban was defensive throughout his statements. Although his party dominates politics in the country, it has been rocked by a scandal this month. President Katalin Novak has resigned under pressure to pardon a man convicted of helping cover up a sexual assault at a children's home. Lawmakers were also voting on Monday to elect a new president, Tamas Solyuk.
