Sweden

Sweden on Thursday became the 32nd member of NATO, turning the page on two centuries of non-alignment and capping two years of tortuous diplomacy after Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered new fears.

Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality as concerns about Russian aggression in Europe have spiked following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced today that Sweden has officially become the 32nd member of the Alliance. "It's official - Sweden is now the 32nd member of NATO, taking its rightful place at our table," Stoltenberg wrote on the X social network.
He added that Sweden's accession "makes NATO stronger, and Sweden safer and the whole Alliance more secure."

Turkey's foreign minister will visit the US on March 7-8 for talks on the Gaza and Ukraine wars and defense and energy, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Tuesday, as relations warm following a warplane deal and cooperation on NATO diplomacy.

The United States believes the Strategic Mechanism meetings to be held by the foreign ministers of the two countries, Hakan Fidan and Antony Blinken, in Washington this week constitute a very good opportunity for improving bilateral ties in almost all fields, including security, trade, energy and climate.

He stated that the Leningrad and Moscow military districts were formed.

Sweden plans to send its units, helicopters and fighter planes. That country is also ready for official NATO accession, probably in a few days, after it received the final and crucial confirmation of the other members last week.

As Sweden edges toward formal NATO membership, the nation's involvement in the alliance's extensive military maneuvers underscores its evolving defense ties. Joined by Finland, the region embarks on the "Nordic Response 2024" exercises, marking a significant step towards bolstering collective security in Northern Europe.

Norway joins Finland, Sweden & the UK in introducing greater safeguarding for children. In the US 8 states thus far have banned affirmative care under 18

Greece's Emmanouil Karalis celebrates after the men's pole vault final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, where he won bronze with a jump of 5.85m. Sweden's Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis successfully defended his world indoor pole vault title with a best clearance of 6.05m, while American Sam Kendricks secured silver with a best performance of 5.90m. [Reuters]