Sweden joins NATO with a flag raised at Brussels HQ
On a wet day in Brussels, the flag of Sweden was raised at the NATO headquarters and at NATO locations across Europe and North America. The ceremony marked the official entry of Sweden into the alliance, with clear references to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The flag was hoisted in the circle where the banners of the other 31 alliance members are displayed, between the banners of Spain and Turkey, in front of NATO’s main building. Attendees included the alliance secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, along with ambassadors from member countries.
Stoltenberg noted during the ceremony that Sweden’s accession shows once again that NATO’s door remains open. No one can close that door. Every nation has the right to choose its own path, and all have chosen the path of freedom and democracy. He emphasized that the brave people of Ukraine are defending these values as the ceremony took place. He also recalled that over 75 years of NATO history, the transatlantic bond between Europe and North America has guaranteed the alliance’s freedom and security. As a Nordic ally and neighbor, he said it is a source of pride that Sweden now joins the mission. The alliance stands united and committed to mutual defense, declaring all for one and one for all.
The discussion underscored that Sweden, after completing the legal steps in Washington the previous week, is now a proud member of NATO. This marks a historic yet natural step after long preparations spanning decades and intensified in the last two years in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sweden has returned to the security cooperation home of democracies, joining an alliance built on shared values and mutual defense commitments.
Earlier, Sweden requested entry into NATO in May 2022 alongside Finland, which became a full member last year. The entry faced delays due to hesitations from two NATO members, Turkey and Hungary. In remarks to the press before the ceremony, Stoltenberg said that Sweden’s inclusion shifts the geographic balance of the alliance. It moves the focus from the Baltic region’s vulnerabilities to the presence of two important allies on the western side of the Baltic Sea. He added that Sweden is safer inside NATO and that the alliance is stronger with Sweden, praising the country’s advanced capabilities, robust defense industry, and defense spending above 2 percent of GDP.
Russia viewed as a continuing threat
The Swedish prime minister stressed that regional security has not been as tense since the Second World War era. He predicted that Russia will remain a threat to euro‑Atlantic security in the future. Sweden joined NATO not just for defensive guarantees but to contribute to the alliance’s security landscape. Stoltenberg clarified that NATO does not plan to expand nuclear arms hosting or deploy a battalion in Sweden similar to deployments in the Baltic states.
Kristersson acknowledged the need for all NATO defense capabilities, including nuclear planning, but stated there is no perceived need for Sweden to host a permanent base or nuclear weapons while in peacetime. The discussion reflects a broader shift in alliance posture as Nordic security capitalizes on joint strengths and shared responsibilities. The ceremony and subsequent remarks highlighted a commitment to collective defense and continued solidarity among allied nations.
In summation, Sweden’s entry into NATO signals a new security configuration for Europe and the North Atlantic. The alliance, strengthened by a Nordic neighbor, reinforces its mission to safeguard freedom and democratic values across the region. This development is part of a long arc of alliances designed to deter aggression and ensure the safety of democracies in the face of evolving threats. The move aligns with a strategic vision shared by Nordic and Western democracies, emphasizing cooperation, transparency, and mutual support across continents. [citation: NATO press materials, resulting statements and subsequent analyses].