‘Historic day’ sees Sweden on brink of NATO entry after clearing final Hungarian hurdle

BELFAST — The Hungarian parliament has voted in favour of approving Sweden’s NATO membership, leaving the Nordic nation finally in the clear to become the alliance’s 32nd member.

Lawmakers passed the vote by a majority of 188 for and just 6 against, ending a wait of over 18 months for Sweden to join. Hungary was the last holdout keeping Sweden out of the alliance.

Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s prime minister, is viewed as friendlier towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin than most NATO members are comfortable with. The Hungarian leader had long dragged the process out, until a breakthrough occurred last week when he met Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Budapest and gave his blessing for the parliamentary vote to go ahead. Perhaps not coincidentally, the two sides that same day also announced a new deal that will see the Hungarian Air Force adding additional four Saab JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighter jets.

“Today is a historic day,” said the office of Sweden’s Prime Minister on X (formerly Twitter) today, in response to the Hungarian vote. “The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favour of Swedish accession to NATO. Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security.”

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, also took to X to welcome Hungary’s decision. “Sweden’s membership will make us all stronger and safer,” he said.

Sweden decided to apply for NATO membership alongside Finland, three months after Russia invaded Ukraine, but opposition from Hungary and Turkey delayed the process.

Prior to Orbán’s resistance, Turkey accused Stockholm of not doing enough to curb crimes carried out by Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants or extradite individuals it considers terrorists.

Sweden amended its constitution, introduced stricter anti-terror laws, expanded counter-terrorism activities and lifted an arms export embargo with Ankara to settle Istanbul concern. Turkey’s parliament eventually approved membership after a vote last month.

In the wake of the Ukraine war, Sweden has increased defense spending significantly, pledging a boost of almost 30 percent this year or equivalent, to just under SEK 120 billion ($10.8 billion), and spent approximately €3.2 billion ($3.5 billion) on military and non-military aid to Ukraine.

Stockholm announced earlier this month that its latest military aid package to Kyiv, valued at SEK 7.1 billion ($690 million), will include 10 Saab Combat Boat 90 (CB90) fast assault craft, 20 Group Boats (G-Boats) and underwater weapons. It has previously supplied or committed to supply equipment including Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) armored combat vehicles, NLAW anti-tank weapons and Archer self-propelled Howitzers.

Sweden is expected to primarily boost defense of the alliance’s Eastern Flank through naval and air power capabilities, including Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets and two future A26 attack submarines.