Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Thursday after two years of negotiations, dealing a blow to Russia as it looks to halt the organization’s expansion in Europe during its war in Ukraine., a provision stating that if any member country is attacked, “each and every other member” must “take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked,” including the use of armed forces.
Sweden, long known as a neutral party in European affairs, made a bid to join NATO in 2022, after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine.Sweden officially announced its bid to join the alliance in May 2022, three months after Russia launched its ground invasion into Ukraine, a war that has reignited tensions in Europe, disrupted international trade and prompted heavy sanctions from western countries on Russia.