Hungary approves Sweden's NATO bid, unblocking historic expansion
Source: Washington Post
Hungary approves Sweden’s NATO bid, unblocking historic expansion
By Emily Rauhala
Updated February 26, 2024 at 11:01 a.m. EST | Published February 26, 2024 at 10:56 a.m. EST
BRUSSELS — Hungary’s parliament on Monday voted in favor of Sweden’s long-delayed bid to join NATO, clearing the final obstacle to a historic expansion of the military alliance and putting an end to an uncomfortable standoff between its members.
With Budapest at last on board, Sweden is set to become NATO’s 32nd member, possibly within the week, completing a process that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and saw Finland join last year. The addition of the two Nordic countries will bolster the alliance’s capabilities, strengthening its position in the high north and the Black Sea — all while sending an important message to Moscow.
{snip}
The ratification in Budapest comes at a moment when NATO allies are struggling to stay united on aid for Ukraine and the alliance is trying to project confidence despite concern about remarks from the former — and potential future — president Donald Trump.
So, when allies finally gather at NATO headquarters in Brussels to raise the Swedish flag, there will be celebration, certainly, but also exhausted sighs of relief.
{snip}
By Emily Rauhala
Emily Rauhala is the Brussels bureau chief for The Washington Post, covering the European Union and NATO. Twitter https://twitter.com/emilyrauhala
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/26/hungary-sweden-nato-vote/
= new reply since forum marked as read
Sweden joins Nato as Hungary agrees arms deal
https://news.yahoo.com/sweden-join-nato-hungary-agrees-194340516.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall
James Rothwell
Mon, February 26, 2024 at 1:43 PM CST·3 min read
Nato leaders hailed a historic moment for European security on Monday as Sweden joined the alliance, drawing to a close a two-year process marred by resistance from Hungary and Turkey.
The last hurdle stopping Sweden from joining Nato was removed after Hungary’s parliament approved the Nordic nation’s accession following a deal to sell Swedish fighter jets to Budapest.
Rishi Sunak said the moment marked “a historic day for our alliance”, while Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said it would “safeguard our collective security today and tomorrow”.
Kaja Kallas, the Estonian prime minister, whose country shares a land border with Russia, said Sweden’s accession “sends a signal to Russia: attempts to blackmail Nato away from its neighbourhood have failed”..................................
Link to tweet
?s=20
Swedish soldiers will now be part of the alliance - Johan Nilson/TT/AFP via Getty Images
Take, for one example, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen jet. One of the best military planes in the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_JAS_39_Gripen
On edit: I want to highlight this paragraph from the Wikipedia article --
Ukraine
In July 2022, the Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov announced the JAS 39 Gripen as a candidate aircraft for the Ukrainian Air Force.[301][302] In August 2023 after visiting Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that "Ukrainian pilots had already begun training on the planes."[303] In early December 2023, it was reported that there were fruitful bilateral discussions about the possible transfer of Gripen aircraft to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[304] On 25 February 2024,[who?]pressured the government to immediately start talks on the supply of JAS-39 Gripen to Ukraine. A majority in Sweden's parliament seems to support this decision.[305]
