Budapest had been the final obstacle to Sweden joining the military alliance, which has been trying to isolate Russia over its war in Ukraine.
Hungary’s Parliament has voted to accept Sweden as a new member of NATO, which sees the Nordic country abandoning its nonaligned stance and consolidates the alliance’s eastern flank.
The vote on Monday was the the final hurdle for Sweden on its way to NATO membership and expanding the 31-member military alliance.
Hungary’s hardline Prime Minister, Viktor Orban has maintained relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin of Russia despite the war in Ukraine. For months, Budapest had stalled putting Sweden’s NATO membership to a vote in its legislature.
The vote followed a visit to Budapest on Friday by the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson. During the visit, it was announced that Sweden would provide Hungary with four Gripen jets, to add to the 14 its air force already uses. Jet manufacturer Saab will also open an AI research center in Hungary.
In a post on X, NATO’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, welcomed the vote saying that “Sweden’s membership will make us all stronger and safer.”
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on the same platform: “With Sweden in NATO we will enhance defense and deterrence on the Eastern Flank and continue our strong support for Ukraine. Together we are stronger.”
Sweden has already been providing weapons and other support to Ukraine.
The Hungarian Parliament endorsed Sweden’s admission to the alliance by a large majority, with only six members from a far-right party, Our Homeland Movement, voting against.
