Following their meeting in Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that Sweden has officially become the 32nd member of NATO with an entrance protocol acceptance ceremony. US President Biden expressed his satisfaction with Sweden's NATO membership and said, "Today I am pleased to welcome Sweden as NATO's 32nd ally. This transatlantic security shield is stronger than ever today with Sweden's official accession to NATO."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out that Sweden's membership is a way of protection from Russia and said, "One more European country is now better protected against Russian evil. Sweden is joining NATO. Sweden is a strong ally and a reliable country. I congratulate everyone in Sweden and in the Euro-Atlantic area. Ukraine has always been principled in its support for Sweden's NATO membership and I am grateful to Sweden for its support for our country."

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said in her congratulatory message: "A more sovereign Europe, especially in the field of defense, is vital for strengthening NATO. I am therefore pleased that Sweden has become a member of NATO and I congratulate Sweden on its accession to NATO." British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary David Cameron congratulated Sweden with 'Welcome to NATO' messages.

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY TO MARK SWEDEN'S ACCESSION TO NATO TO BE HELD ON MARCH 11

NATO announced in a statement that a ceremony for Sweden's membership will be held at NATO headquarters on March 11. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will attend the ceremony, during which the Swedish flag will be raised. Stoltenberg said, "Sweden has become NATO's 32nd member and has taken its rightful place at our table. I look forward to raising their flag at NATO headquarters on Monday. Sweden's accession makes NATO stronger and Sweden and the entire Alliance safer."

"THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING US AS THE 32ND MEMBER"

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kirstersson thanked NATO allies after the official membership and said, "Sweden is now a NATO member. I thank all Allies for welcoming us as the 32nd member. We will strive for unity, solidarity and burden-sharing and fully adhere to the values of the Washington Treaty: freedom, democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. We are stronger together."