Sweden clears final hurdle to join NATO as Hungary approves accession
World,Foreign Policy,Hungary,Viktor Orban,Ukraine War,Sweden,Russia,NATO,Defense And Security
Hungary's parliament approved Sweden's NATO accession on Monday, clearing the last hurdle before the historic step by the Nordic country whose neutrality lasted through two world wars and the simmering conflict of the Cold War.
Hungary's vote ended months of delays to complete Sweden's security policy shift and followed a visit by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Friday, during which the two countries signed an arms deal.
"Sweden is leaving 200 years of neutrality and military non-alignment behind," Kristersson told a press conference.
"We are joining NATO in order to defend what we are and everything we believe in even better. We are defending our freedom, our democracy and our values, together with others."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government has faced pressure from NATO allies to fall in line and seal Sweden's accession to the alliance.
