(RepublicanView.org) – Sweden has brought a close to centuries of military neutrality and joined NATO. The Scandinavian nation became the 32nd member of the alliance after its politicians voted on the matter on March 7. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement that Sweden had finally taken “its rightful place at our table.” He added that Sweden’s inclusion makes the military alliance stronger and more secure, and he looks forward to raising the Swedish flag at NATO headquarters.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson applied to join NATO in May 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. Finland sought to join as well, and eventually gained its membership back in spring of 2023.
In 2022, Putin said Russia would “respond” if the military infrastructure is boosted in Sweden and Finland. Finland has a border with Russia to its east and with Sweden to the west.
According to a report from The Guardian, there have been some critics of Sweden’s decision. Some believe that the choice undermines or flies in the face of efforts to keep the peace. Anna Sundström of the Olof Palme International Centre in Stockholm said Kristersson tried to persuade the Swedish people that their country was on the brink of war with Russia, but there was no credible suggestion that this was true and that it was “reckless” to suggest otherwise.
Kristersson was a guest in Congress to hear President Joe Biden’s recent State of the Union speech. Biden warned that Vladimir Putin is “on the march” and intends to invade other nations in Eastern Europe – something Putin vehemently denies.
Biden again called on Congress to approve legislation aimed at providing billions more in ammunition for Ukraine, which is stalled by Republicans weary of spending American cash abroad. Reports suggest that the delay has already caused problems for Ukrainian soldiers who are said to be rationing ammunition on the frontline.
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