Prospects for Ukraine with Sweden's NATO accession

Despite optimistic statements from Stockholm and Brussels that Hungary has finally lifted its blockade on Sweden's NATO accession, real changes have not proven to be as swift. Now Hungary wants to wait for the inauguration of its new president. There is still a week left to wait, and then, Hungary will have to lift the blockade on NATO enlargement.

The conclusion of this process is eagerly awaited not only by the Swedes but also by Ukrainians. Read more about why NATO enlargement is so important for Ukraine in the article by Sergiy Sydorenko, European Pravda's editor - NATO on halt again. Why Ukraine needs alliance enlargement, which Hungary still hinders.

Sweden, spurred by Russian aggression, applied for NATO membership on 18 May 2022, but has yet to complete the process, nearly two years later. Its readiness to join the Alliance is maximally possible despite the delay. Sweden's accession was first blocked by Turkiye.

Ankara, after 18 months of "hoop-jumping," finally publicly acknowledged that it's not the Swedes but the Americans who must meet their real conditions for NATO enlargement. In December, Turkish President Erdogan publicly announced that he would unblock Sweden's accession if the embargo on supplying them with weapons is lifted not only by the Swedes (they did long ago) but also by the United States and Canada. Another month went by for the details to be agreed upon, and in January, the agreement was finalised.

President Erdogan greenlit Sweden's accession. The United States then unlocked the supply of F-16s to the Turks, and the Canadians also lifted the export ban. While Turkiye's position was cynical but consistent, Hungary's actions could be described as a "circus." The Hungarian parliament has eventually ratified Sweden's accession.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom was set to visit Washington on Wednesday, 28 February, for a ceremony of handing the ratification documents. This visit had to be canceled though. "The trip was supposed to finalise NATO membership, but now it is postponed for the future," writes the Swedish publication DN, citing several diplomatic sources.

Despite statements from high-ranking officials in Budapest, Hungary is delaying the final signature. Budapest explains that they need to wait for their president inauguration to sign the ratified law approved by the parliament. But this explanation is so made up and fabricated because the country has an "acting president" who could sign the document.

The new delay came as a surprise to Stockholm, but there is no doubt that the new president will eventually sign the ratification. And this opens up very important prospects for Ukraine. First of all, because NATO enlargement will limit Russia.

The Baltic Sea will become NATO's "internal lake" with Sweden's accession. In particular, the strategically important Swedish island of Gotland in the center of the Baltic Sea will essentially become a NATO military base. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is also involved in anticipation of Sweden's accession.

In addition to F-16s, Ukraine is also counting on Swedish multi-role Gripens, suitable for use on its runways.

Now, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have grounds to count on new waves of Swedish defence assistance with the Alliance's enlargement.

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