Timeline of Sweden's bid to join the NATO alliance

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, left, speaks during a press... — Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, left, speaks during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Swedish Government headquarters Rosenbad in Stockholm, Oct. 24, 2023. Hungary's parliament approved Sweden's application to join NATO on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, paving the way for the Scandinavian country to become the alliance's 32nd member. Credit: AP/Jonas Ekstromer

By The Associated PressUpdated February 26, 2024

STOCKHOLM — Hungary's parliament approved Sweden's application to join NATO on Monday, paving the way for the Scandinavian country to become the alliance's 32nd member.

Hungary was the last holdout after Turkey agreed to Sweden's accession in January. Newcomers need to be approved by all existing NATO members.

Once neutral Sweden and neighboring Finland decided to seek NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While Finland joined in April of last year, Sweden was kept waiting as both Turkey and Hungary held up the process.

Here are some of the key events on Sweden’s path to becoming a member of NATO.

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