Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf has revealed his thoughts on his country potentially joining NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
The King was given information that Sweden plans to apply for membership in NATO on 16 May in a Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Royal Palace. Crown Princess Victoria was also in attendance.
According to Swedish media, the King has called Sweden joining NATO “a difficult situation.”
His Majesty alluded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as the reason for the NATO application. He told TV4 Nyheterna, “These discussions have been going on for a long time, and it has led to a consideration after the situation that unfortunately has arisen in our immediate area.”
Sweden has said they plan to apply alongside its Nordic neighbour, Finland, and they will submit their application this week. Both countries have been neutral for decades, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February has led to their change in views on NATO.
Turkey has threatened to block Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO, and Russian state media quoted Kremlin’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov saying that the two Nordic countries would be making a “grave mistake” that would have “far-reaching consequences.”
Nordic neighbours Denmark and Norway are already NATO members.
The President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, is set to begin a state visit to Sweden today, 17 May and will meet with King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Royal Palace, where the official welcome ceremony will take place. There is no doubt that the two countries joining NATO will be a point of conversation for the two-day visit that concludes on 18 May.
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