Hungary to Ratify Sweden’s NATO Bid, Purchases Fighter Jets
In a significant development for both Hungary and Sweden, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced during a joint press conference with Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson that Hungary is ready to ratify Sweden’s long-delayed NATO bid. This decision comes as Budapest prepares to vote on the matter in the Hungarian Parliament on Monday. Hungary is the last member of the military alliance to approve Sweden’s application to join NATO, which was made in May 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the press conference, Orban also revealed that Hungary has purchased four fighter jets from Sweden. The acquisition of these Gripen fighter jets will not only expand Hungary’s fleet but also significantly enhance its military capabilities, further strengthening its ability to play a role abroad. Orban emphasized the importance of this new phase in Hungary’s relationship with Sweden, stating that being members together in NATO will allow them to reconstruct full trust towards each other.
Sweden’s NATO bid faced several challenges, unlike Finland, which joined NATO in April 2023. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan initially objected to Sweden’s accession, accusing Swedish officials of being too lenient on militant groups such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). However, Sweden took steps to address these concerns by tightening its anti-terror legislation and pledging closer cooperation with Turkey on security matters.
Orban, often seen as the European Union leader closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin, initially did not oppose Sweden joining NATO but later worked to stall its bid. This led to criticism from Hungarian Member of the European Parliament, Katalin Cseh, who described Orban’s actions as “another favor to Vladimir Putin.” However, after Turkey approved Sweden’s bid, Orban seemed to change his stance and invited Kristersson to Hungary in January to negotiate the terms of Sweden’s accession.
The ratification of Sweden’s NATO bid by Hungary will mark the closure of one phase and the opening of another. It signifies a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries and holds great significance for the security and stability of the region. With Hungary’s support, Sweden’s accession to NATO will be complete, further strengthening the alliance’s border with Russia. This decision also highlights Hungary’s commitment to collective defense and its willingness to enhance its military capabilities.
As Hungary prepares to vote on Monday, all eyes are on the Hungarian Parliament to see if it will give its final approval for Sweden’s NATO membership. The outcome of this vote will not only shape the future of Hungary-Sweden relations but also have broader implications for the geopolitical landscape of Europe.