When NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke after this weekend's meeting with NATO foreign ministers, he used the term "historic" on several occasions.

This referred to the fact that both Sweden and Finland now want to apply for membership in the defense alliance.

Two previously neutral and non-aligned countries, which after Russia's attack on Ukraine completely change their foreign and security policy and want to join NATO.

Finland's government on Sunday left its official, and expected, announcement.

Finland will submit a membership application.

On Sunday afternoon, the Swedish Social Democrats also decided that Sweden should join.

After the security policy analysis that the government and a majority of the parliamentary parties agreed on Friday, the decision was expected.

The reservation in the S decision applies to the deployment of nuclear weapons and permanent NATO bases in Sweden.

It is undoubtedly a historic decision.

In a couple of months, the Social Democrats have made a total turnaround when it comes to a cornerstone of Sweden's foreign and security policy.

Previous arguments are discarded

No other party in the Riksdag has been so intimately associated with freedom of alliance and criticism of NATO membership.

It is both about the view of nuclear weapons and the notion that Sweden has a special role in the global disarmament work, but it is also about the perception that only as an alliance-free country can Sweden have an independent voice in foreign policy.

All these arguments have now been passed on to the rubbish heap.

The turnaround is total.

Instead, it is emphasized that Sweden, even as a member of NATO, can have an independent voice and push for disarmament work.

A NATO membership will also be cheaper for Sweden than continued freedom of alliance, according to leading Social Democrats.

But above all, the argument is based on the deteriorating security situation and the experience of Russia as a growing threat.

And of course Sweden should follow the same path as Finland.

Regardless of the argument, it is striking what a complete reversal the Social Democrats are now making.

The post-war interpretation of freedom of alliance and policy of neutrality was for a long time an almost sacred bastion in the Social Democrats' foreign policy.

This is now buried and replaced with an official party line that Sweden should apply for membership in NATO.

The freedom of alliance the party's representatives have for decades pleaded for does not meet Sweden's need for security in the situation that has arisen after Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Turkey can lay hooks

The Social Democrats' decision on Sunday means that the way is now open for a Swedish application to NATO.

Already on Monday, the plan is to decide on an application, which can then be sent to NATO on Tuesday or Wednesday.

On Sunday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was overwhelmed by the new candidate countries and promised a speedy process towards membership.

But Turkey seems ready to set hooks for Sweden, which is considered a haven for terrorists.

How far Turkey is prepared to delay a Swedish membership remains to be seen.

In a situation where the Turkish economy is failing and a presidential election is imminent, this could be an issue for President Erdogan to profile himself in. It could also be an issue where President Erdogan can gain other benefits in relations with the United States or NATO. .

Strategically, however, there are advantages for Turkey in Swedish and Finnish NATO membership.

If the northern flank becomes more important for Russia, Turkey as a regional power can see advantages on the Black Sea where the Russians are seen as rivals.