SWEDEN is applying for Nato membership, ending more than 200 years of military non-alignment.
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson called it “a historic change in our country’s security policy” as she addressed legislators in the capital Stockholm.
It comes after Nordic neighbours Finland made a similar announcement on Sunday in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Sweden needs formal security guarantees that come with membership in Nato,” Andersson said, adding that the country was acting together with leaders in Helsinki.
Andersson is formally announcing the Swedish government’s decision together with opposition leader Ulf Kristersson.
The move was essentially a done deal after Andersson’s Social Democratic Party on Sunday dropped its long-held opposition to Nato membership, giving those in favour a clear majority in parliament.
“The Swedish government’s intent is to apply for Nato membership. A historic day for Sweden,” foreign minister Ann Linde posted on Twitter.
“With a broad support from political parties in the parliament, the conclusion is that Sweden will stand stronger together with allies in NATO.”
Once a regional military power, Sweden has avoided military alliances since the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
Like Finland it remained neutral throughout the Cold War, but formed closer relations with Nato after the Soviet collapse.
Public opinion in both countries was firmly against joining Nato until Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, after which polls indicated a dramatic shift in favour of membership.
The governments in Finland and Sweden responded by swiftly initiating discussions across political parties about Nato membership and reaching out to the US, Britain, Germany and other Nato countries for their support.
In Helsinki, US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said there is “very significant” support in Congress and that he expects swift ratification. He said he hoped a vote could be held before the August recess.
The Kremlin has repeatedly warned the move would have destabilising consequences for security in Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Moscow “does not have a problem” with Sweden or Finland as they apply for Nato membership, but that “the expansion of military infrastructure on to this territory will of course give rise to our reaction in response”.
In the Swedish parliament, only the small Left and Green parties objected to seeking Nato membership.
Andersson said Sweden would refuse nuclear weapons or permanent Nato bases on its soil – similar conditions as neighbouring Norway and Denmark insisted on when the alliance was formed after the Second World War.
Under SNP plans, an independent Scotland would also seek a similar agreement.
Though Nato officials have expressed hopes for a quick ratification process, all 30 current Nato members must agree to let Finland and Sweden in the door.
Turkey voiced some objections last week, accusing the two countries of supporting Kurdish militants and others whom Turkey considers to be terrorists.
Swedish defence minister Peter Hultqvist told public broadcaster SVT that a Swedish delegation would be sent to Ankara to discuss the issue.
