[News page-Taiwan Strait Net].
According to comprehensive foreign media reports, the Hungarian parliament voted in favor of admitting Sweden to NATO, a military alliance, on the 26th. Foreign media generally believe that Sweden's accession to NATO means that the West poses a greater threat to Russia.
Hungary's ratification is the final step in Sweden's accession process, according to AFP on February 26. Sweden thus broke with the policy of neutrality adopted after the end of the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century, as well as the policy of military non-alignment adopted after the end of the Cold War.
The report says that after Finland joined NATO, Sweden also joined NATO, which means that the Baltic Sea is now surrounded by NATO member countries, which analysts call "NATO Lake".
The report also said that in addition to its bid to join NATO, Sweden also signed an agreement in December last year to allow the United States to access a number of military bases in the country.
According to the Spanish newspaper El País on February 26, Sweden has overcome the last obstacle to becoming a member of NATO after being approved by the Hungarian parliament, which is another historic expansion of NATO after the admission of Finland. Sweden's accession could have significant geopolitical consequences.
The report pointed out that this moment coincides with the Russia-Ukraine conflict entering its third year, and there are fears that the Kremlin will put the common security commitment of NATO allies to the test. Sweden, as member number 32, would give NATO control over almost the entire Baltic Sea (with the exception of the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad), which would facilitate the passage of troops and equipment, and also bring with it the island of Gotland, which is critical to the defense of the Baltic Sea.
Sweden's accession also comes at a critical and difficult time for NATO, which is grappling with uncertainty about Trump's possible return to the White House. The former U.S. slammed some NATO members for investing little in defense and undermining the mutual security agreement.
Germany's "Die Welt" published an article on February 26 saying that Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO should be a headache for Russia**Putin: a new, larger and more modern NATO is being formed, and its border with Russia has increased by 1,300 kilometers than before. In Moscow's view, the threat from the West is even greater.
The article says that Sweden's accession means that NATO's strength is significantly strengthened: if Russia attacks NATO member Finland, NATO will defend itself from Sweden. Sweden hopes to achieve NATO's goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense by this year. The country also plans to invest billions more in the coming years.
The article also says that the Swedish armed forces have about 380,000 trained servicemen capable of performing complex tasks in the extreme cold conditions of the Arctic. The Swedish Air Force has more than 90 self-developed Gripen fighters, which will enhance NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities in the Arctic region.
*: Compiled by Zhao Kexin, Su Jiawei, Jiao Yu).