Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality as concerns about Russian aggression in Europe have spiked following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

What You Need To Know

  • Sweden has formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality

  • The country's membership comes as concerns about Russian aggression in Europe have spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine

  • Sweden and Finland both abandoned long-standing neutrality that was a hallmark of the Nordic states' Cold War foreign policy after Russia invaded Ukraine

  • Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will be a guest of honor at President Joe Biden's State of the Union address to Congress

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Secretary of State Antony Blinken presided at a ceremony in which Sweden's "instrument of accession" to the alliance was officially deposited at the State Department.

"Good things come to those who wait," Blinken said.

Later Thursday. Kristersson will visit the White House and then be a guest of honor at President Joe Biden's State of the Union address to Congress.

President Joe Biden said he was "honored" by Sweden's presence in NATO, saying they make the "shield" of the alliance "stronger than ever."

"75 years ago—when the United States and 11 other nations came together to establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization—President Truman said the Alliance, 'would create a shield against aggression and fear of aggression,'" he said in a statement. "Today, that shield—and transatlantic security—is stronger than ever with the formal addition of Sweden to NATO."

"When Putin launched his brutal war of aggression against the people of Ukraine, he thought he could weaken Europe and divide NATO," Biden continued. "Instead, in May 2022, Sweden and Finland—two of our close partners, with two highly capable militaries—made the historic decision to apply for full NATO membership. Alliance members ratified Finland’s membership last year ahead of our historic summit in Vilnius. And, with the addition of Sweden today, NATO stands more united, determined, and dynamic than ever—now 32 nations strong."

"Today, we once more reaffirm that our shared democratic values—and our willingness to stand up for them—is what makes NATO the greatest military alliance in the history of the world," Biden, who will host all 32 NATO allies for a summit in July in Washington, concluded. "It is what draws nations to our cause. It is what underpins our unity. And together with our newest Ally Sweden—NATO will continue to stand for freedom and democracy for generations to come."

Sweden, along with Finland, which joined NATO last year, both abandoned long-standing military neutrality that was a hallmark of the Nordic states' Cold War foreign policy after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.

Biden, in his speech to Congress, is expected to cite Sweden's accession to NATO as evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin's intent to divide and weaken the alliance has failed as a direct result of the Ukraine invasion. And, the Democratic president is expected to use Sweden's decision to join to step up calls for reluctant Republicans to approved stalled military assistance to Ukraine as the war enters its third year.

Sweden's membership had been held up due to objections by NATO members Turkey and Hungary. Turkey expressed concern that Sweden was harboring and not taking enough action against Kurdish groups that it regards as terrorists, and Hungary's populist President Viktor Orban has shown pro-Russian sentiment and not shared the alliance's determination to support Ukraine.

After months of delay, Turkey ratified Sweden's admission earlier this year, and Hungary did so this week.