Authorities in Sweden are cautioning their people to be more prepared than before in case of conflict.
Recognized for their neutrality, Sweden and Finland said in May 2022 that they would be joining NATO in reaction to Russia’s assault on Ukraine previously that year. Finland became a member of the alliance officially in April 2023, but Sweden’s effort to become a member was blocked after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Sweden’s apparent inactivity against Islamophobia a “red line.” Hungary has voiced worries about Sweden’s membership as well.
Later on, Erdoğan approved Sweden’s NATO membership; however, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey must still approve it. Earlier last year, Viktor Orbán, the prime minister of Hungary, stated that his nation was not in a rush to accept Sweden’s offer.