Nearly two years after Sweden formally applied to join NATO, its membership now hinges on convincing Hungary to formally ratify its bid to join the military alliance. Hungary's nationalist government has delayed holding a vote on Sweden's membership for over 18 months, causing tension with Stockholm and drawing mounting pressure from its allies to move forward on ratification.
Orbán's party announced it will vote on ratifying Sweden's NATO bid on Monday, suggesting the delays and diplomatic tensions could be coming to a close. The two countries are reportedly closing in on an agreement for Hungary to acquire Swedish-built military equipment, potentially including Gripen fighter jets.
All other NATO member countries have supported Sweden's membership, with Hungary being the sole holdout. Orbán has expressed support for Sweden joining NATO but cited concerns about criticism from Swedish politicians regarding Hungary's democracy.
Sweden's Prime Minister mentioned that discussions on expanding cooperation, particularly regarding Gripen fighter jets, will be on the agenda during his visit to Budapest for negotiations with Orbán.
The potential deal on procuring military equipment is seen as a significant factor in Hungary's decision to drop its objections to Sweden's NATO accession. This move mirrors Turkey's support for Sweden's bid, which was contingent on the approval of a fighter jet sale from the United States.
Orbán's critics in the EU have accused him of stalling on Sweden's NATO bid to extract concessions from the bloc. The EU has frozen funding to Hungary over rule-of-law and democracy concerns, leading to strained relations between the two countries.
Orbán's supporters view Hungary's stance on Sweden's NATO bid as a way to demand respect and protect the country's sovereignty. The government's reluctance to ratify Sweden's accession is seen as a gesture to Orbán's conservative base.
