House of Commons Library

11 March 2024

Source: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9574/?utm_source=HOC+Library+-+Research+alerts&utm_campaign=6f5e4c0512-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_03_12_08_00&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a9da1c9b17-6f5e4c0512-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]&mc_cid=6f5e4c0512&mc_eid=bb3d0ae675 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the benefit of NATO’s collective defence agreement prompted Finland and Sweden to end decades of neutrality and non-aligned status and seek membership of the Alliance.

NATO invited both countries to join at its Madrid Summit in June 2022; Finland became NATO’s 31st member in April 2023.

Turkey and Hungary delayed their domestic ratification for Sweden over concerns about its support for Kurdish groups.

In early 2024 Turkey, and then Hungary, ratified Sweden’s accession protocol. Sweden became the 32nd member of NATO on 7 March 2024.

Read the full report here.