NATO welcomes 32nd member, expert warns bigger bloc 'exacerbates' Putin's fears

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Sweden has officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after almost a year of endless wrangling and negotiations, adding another key piece to the defense against Russian interests.

"Sweden is now a NATO member," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote in a statement published on social media platform X.

"Thank you all allies for welcoming us as the 32nd member," he continued. "We will strive for unity, solidarity and burden-sharing, and will fully adhere to the Washington Treaty values: freedom, democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. Stronger together."

Kristersson traveled to Washington on Wednesday to complete the process of joining NATO, where he met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and will attend the State of the Union as a guest of first lady Jill Biden.

HUNGARY'S PRESIDENT FORMALLY SIGNS BILL APPROVING SWEDEN'S NATO MEMBERSHIP, ENDING 18-MONTH DELAY

"Sweden is a strong democracy with a highly capable military that shares our values and vision for the world," the White House wrote of the newest alliance member. "Having Sweden as a NATO ally will make the United States and our allies even safer."

As a NATO member, Sweden, with its cutting-edge submarines and Gripen fighter jets, will be a crucial link between the Atlantic and the Baltic