Sweden decides to take the NATO course

Sweden will request NATO membership, as announced by Sweden’s PM Magdalena Andersson, adding that this step is intended to deter Russia from aggression.
«The government has decided to inform NATO that Sweden wishes to become a member of the alliance,» Andersson told journalists.
On Sunday, 15 May, Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin officially announced the country’s plans to request NATO membership.

«We are leaving one era and starting a new one,» said Andersson, adding that Sweden’s ambassador to NATO will soon inform the alliance of this decision.

Finland and Sweden refrained from entering the alliance for a long time, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine radically changed the security situation in Europe. The interest for joining this alliance has surged rapidly among politicians and residents of both countries.
Andersson said she hopes the period between submission of the request and entry into NATO will not be longer than a year. Entry of a new member state needs to be approved by all 30 NATO member states.
Stockholm’s decision in favour of joining the alliance was expected because Sweden’s ruling Social Democratic Party decided to support he country’s joining of the alliance last Sunday.
Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, SAP was against the country’s joining of NATO. The change of position was an enormous step for the party and the country.