Hungary’s parliament ratified Sweden’s bid to join NATO, removing the last roadblock to the country’s admittance to the alliance amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Six members of parliament voted against Sweden’s accession and 188 in favor.
The vote comes years after obstacles that embittered fellow NATO allies.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X announced, “Today is a historic day … Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security.”
The US also welcomed Hungary’s vote. “We certainly do welcome the vote in the Hungarian parliament today and look forward to it being finalized,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Sweden will make the alliance “strong and safer.”
Turkey ratified Sweden’s NATO accession just last month, with the long delay sparked by what Ankara cited as security concerns.
Hungary was a holdout due to Stockholm’s criticism of the government in Budapest, with officials accusing Sweden of being “keen to bash Hungary” over its rule-of-law issues.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Kristersson in Budapest on Friday and said the two had clarified “our mutual good intentions.”
Hungary also signed a deal for four Swedish-made fighter jets on Friday.
Orban asked MPs to approve Sweden’s bid earlier on Monday, telling parliament, “The Swedish-Hungarian military cooperation and Sweden’s accession to NATO will strengthen Hungary’s security. Finland became the 31st member of NATO in April 2023, also spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
