- Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced on Monday that her country will apply to join NATO.
- The move was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ending 200 years of military nonalignment.
- She added that the country is working with Finland, which announced a similar move on Sunday.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced on Monday that her country will follow in Finland's footsteps and apply to join NATO, a move that will likely enrage the Kremlin, the Associated Press reported.
Andersson said the move was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ending 200 years of military nonalignment in Sweden, the AP reported.
Sweden's prime minister told lawmakers that the move is "a historic change in our country's security policy," the AP reported.
"Sweden needs formal security guarantees that come with membership in NATO," Andersson said, the AP reported.
She added that the country is working with Finland, which announced a similar move on Sunday.
The move is sure to enrage Russia, which has previously said it would end the "nuclear-free Baltic" if Sweden and Finland were to join NATO.
"There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic — the balance must be restored," The Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, said in a statement on Telegram in April.
"Until today, Russia has not taken such measures and was not going to. If our hand is forced, well ... take note it was not our suggestion," he added.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said Medvedev's threat was confusing since Russia already has. nuclear weapons in the Baltic region, Reuters reported.
Despite these threats, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has publicly assured both countries, according to The Washington Post.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.