Sweden became NATO’s newest member on March 7, 2024. Including Sweden, there are now 32 countries among NATO’s members.
This week, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson traveled to Washington, D.C., to submit the final documents. The country first bid to join the alliance in May 2022.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted Sweden to abandon its previous policy of neutrality, which stretches back to the Napoleonic wars. Nordic neighbor Finland, which joined NATO in April 2023, joined for the same reason. Finland borders Russia to the west.
Sweden’s flag will be raised alongside those of the other 31 countries in a ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday, 11 March 2024. It will also be flown at NATO commands across Europe and North America.
