Sweden on Thursday became the 32nd member of NATO in the shadow of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, turning the page on two centuries of non-alignment and capping two years of torturous diplomacy. "It is a major step but, at the same time, a very natural step," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at the State Department. Sweden has made a free, democratic, sovereign and united choice to join NATO," he said. 'Historic day'Russia has vowed "countermeasures" over Sweden's entry into NATO, especially if the alliance's troops and assets deploy in the country. The United States simultaneously pushed ahead with $8.6 billion in more advanced F-35 jets for Greece, a fellow NATO member that has a historic rivalry and frequent tensions with Turkey.

Source: Hindustan Times March 08, 2024 03:01 UTC