Sweden confirms intention to apply for Nato membership

Copenhagen, May 16 (EFE).- Sweden will formally ask to join Nato, Swedish prime minister Magdalena Andersson announced Monday, breaking a two-century-old policy of non-alignment.

The move breaks with Sweden’s more than 200 year-old policy of remaining militarily neutral, and follows a similar decision announced over the weekend by neighboring Finland.

“The Swedish government has decided that Sweden should join Nato,” Andersson told a press conference of a decision that has the backing of Sweden’s main political parties and which she said was necessary given the deteriorating security situation caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The decision was widely expected after Andersson said Sunday that the historic move was supported by her party.

“The best thing for the security of Sweden and the Swedes is to join Nato and to do so together with Finland,” the prime minister said.

Sweden’s ambassador in Brussels will submit the membership application to the alliance’s headquarters in the Belgian capital “shortly,” at the same time as Finland does, Andersson said.

The Swedish prime minister said Nato membership would have a deterrent effect in northern Europe, boost security and reduce risks, while pointing out that there is no other “realistic” option.

“Unfortunately we have no reason to believe that Russia will change in the foreseeable future,” she said. EFE

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