Sweden: The new NATO member does not want nuclear weapons on its territory

Enlarge image

The Swedish flag is hoisted in front of NATO headquarters in Brussels

Photo: John Thys / AFP

Four days after Sweden formally joined NATO, the Allies ceremoniously welcomed the country.

The Prime Minister of the Scandinavian country, Ulf Kristersson, made one thing clear at the ceremony: Sweden has no interest in stationing US nuclear weapons on its territory for the time being.

"We fully understand the need for all NATO defense capabilities, including the nuclear strategy," said the Swedish head of government.

At the same time, however, there is no need to host nuclear weapons or a permanent NATO base on Swedish soil in peacetime.

Kristersson added that this is a Swedish decision that, in his understanding, will be fully respected.

He also emphasized that his country contributes modern and well-trained armed forces.

This strengthens NATO on land, in the air and at sea.

The Swedish flag was raised for the first time in front of the defense alliance headquarters in Brussels.

In the future it will fly between the Spanish and Turkish flags in the circle of flags in front of the building.

In addition to Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria also took part in the celebrations.

Stoltenberg said the now 32 flags represent 32 nations that share the common goal of protecting their one billion citizens, preventing wars and maintaining peace.

Sweden's membership makes NATO stronger and safer.

In the future, the sentence will also apply to the Scandinavian country: "All for one, one for all." With regard to Russia's attempts to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, Stoltenberg said that Sweden's accession once again shows that the door to NATO is open stay.

Nobody can close it.

200 years of military non-alignment

Sweden joined NATO last Thursday after around 200 years of military non-alignment.

With the handover of the instrument of accession in Washington, the Scandinavian country's inclusion in the defense alliance became official.

Sweden applied for membership in May 2022 under the impression of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

By joining NATO, Sweden could theoretically also strive to become part of the concept of nuclear sharing.

This is based on US nuclear weapons stationed in Europe, in the use of which countries such as Germany could also be involved through the concept of nuclear sharing.

The Bundeswehr, for example, has combat aircraft available so that it can use US atomic bombs in an emergency.

In Büchel in the Eifel, around 20 thermonuclear B61 gravity bombs of the US armed forces are said to be stored - never officially confirmed.

So far they can be hung under German tornadoes.

Another component are the nuclear weapons that the European NATO states Great Britain and France have at their disposal.

In addition to Germany, countries such as Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands are also involved in nuclear participation.

czl/dpa