BRUSSELS – Hungary's parliament voted Monday in favor of Sweden's long-delayed bid to join NATO, removing the final obstacle to a historic expansion of the military alliance and an end to an uncomfortable standoff between members.
With Budapest finally on board, Sweden may become NATO's 32nd member within a week, completing a process that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and which Finland joined last year. The addition of the two Nordic countries will strengthen the alliance's capabilities and strengthen its position in the Far North and the Baltic Sea – while sending an important message to Moscow.
Four maps explain how Sweden and Finland could transform NATO's security
“Today is a historic day,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted for Sweden to join NATO. “Sweden is ready to assume its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Hungary's vote and said: “Sweden's membership will make us all stronger and safer.”
Illegally annexed by Russia in March 2014
NATO countries not shown:
Portugal, Iceland, United States and Canada
Illegally annexed by Russia in March 2014
NATO countries not shown:
Portugal, Iceland, United States and Canada
NATO countries not shown:
Iceland, United States and Canada
Illegally annexed by Russia in March 2014
While the alliance is indeed larger than ever and stronger than it has been in years, many months of obstruction by Turkey and continued delays by Hungary have highlighted the challenge of keeping the allies together, even in the face of an aggressive, revanchist Russia.
Ratification in Budapest comes as NATO allies are struggling to remain united on aid to Ukraine and the alliance is trying to, despite concerns over comments from former – and potential future – US President Donald Trump, exude trust.
So when the allies finally gather at NATO headquarters in Brussels to raise the Swedish flag, there will certainly be cheers, but also exhausted sighs of relief.
After signing the ratification document, only a few formalities need to be completed. NATO officials and diplomats said the alliance would try to move quickly and ideally formalize membership by the end of the week, although it could take longer.
“We certainly welcome today's vote in the Hungarian Parliament, look forward to its conclusion and stand ready to accept the certificates here in Washington and welcome Sweden as the 32nd member of NATO,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said reporters.
The expansion of the NATO alliance is a tangible sign of the changes brought about by the Russian war in Ukraine. After Russia's full-scale invasion two years ago, Finland and Sweden abandoned years of military non-alignment and sought security within NATO. Their accession required the unanimous support of all member countries.
Finland joins NATO, doubling the alliance's land border with Russia
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Putin's closest ally in the European Union, said he would not be the last holdout. But he accepted Sweden's offer.
Orban's main objection related to comments by Swedish officials about the erosion of democracy in Hungary.
His list of demands was nowhere near as long and detailed as that of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who demanded F-16 fighter jets from the United States and the lifting of arms embargoes by several countries while insisting that Sweden take tough action against groups in Turkey is considered a terrorist and bans the burning of the Koran during protests.
Even after Turkey's parliament ratified Sweden's membership in January, ending 20 months of back-and-forth, Orban insisted that Sweden joining NATO was an issue be negotiated.
Turkey votes for Sweden's NATO membership after months of delay
He urged the Swedish prime minister to visit him in Budapest – and was not content to meet on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.
Eventually Kristersson agreed and on Friday the two signed a deal in the Hungarian capital to expand Budapest's fleet of Swedish fighter jets.
Orban completed the deal as part of a process to restore damaged trust.
“Being a member of NATO together with another country means that we are ready to die for each other,” he said. “So if you want to build such a strong relationship, you need the right foundation for it, especially trust and mutual respect.”
He said Hungary's slow acceptance of Sweden's NATO membership was a “prudent and orderly preparation” carried out at the right pace.
Parliament voted on Monday with 188 yes votes and 6 no votes. U.S. Ambassador David Pressman watched from the gallery. “Sweden's entry into NATO will strengthen the security of the United States, Hungary and the entire transatlantic alliance,” he told the Washington Post afterwards. “Sweden has been ready to join the alliance for almost two years. We look forward to welcoming Sweden to the alliance without further delay.”
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Earlier this month, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators visiting Budapest to press for movement on ratification said they had been denied meetings with Hungarian officials.
Before Monday's vote, Orban addressed Hungarian MPs and spoke in favor of Sweden joining NATO. He also spoke about how Hungary had a long and contentious relationship with the countries of Scandinavia – and how outsiders who tried to intervene in these disputes hindered their resolution.
Orban remained on the defensive throughout his remarks. Although his party dominates the country's politics, it was rocked by a scandal this month. President Katalin Novak resigned under pressure for pardoning a man convicted of helping to cover up sexual abuse at a children's home. MPs also voted on Monday to elect a new president, Tamas Sulyok.
Michael Birnbaum contributed to this report.
correction
An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to the Black Sea. Sweden's membership would strengthen NATO's position in the Baltic Sea. The article has been corrected.