US lawmakers urging Hungary to ratify Sweden’s NATO application immediately

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) on Thursday urged Hungary to swiftly approve Sweden’s entry into NATO.

In a statement, the senators noted Hungary remains the only NATO member that has not approved Sweden’s entry into the Western security alliance after Turkey ratified Stockholm in last month. All member nations of the alliance must approve a new country’s application.

“Sweden will bring unique capabilities to NATO that will help the alliance meet both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s threats,” the senators said. “Despite its numerous prior public commitments, Hungary is the last remaining NATO member to have not ratified Sweden’s bid and both time and patience are wearing thin.

“Hungary’s inaction risks irrevocably damaging its relationship with the United States and with NATO,” they added.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has invited Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to meet with him, and the two leaders are expected to talk soon.

The concerns in Hungary over Sweden are over a dispute about Hungarian democracy, with some lawmakers accusing Stockholm of spreading “blatant lies” about the state of democracy in their country.

Sweden joined Finland in applying to NATO shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russia’s invasion launched the largest ground war in Europe since World War II and spread renewed fears of security across the continent.

Shaheen and Tillis said “NATO has been united in its support for freedom” since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and urged approval of Sweden by the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., in July.

“By welcoming a new member that shares a commitment to democracy and peace in Europe, the alliance will be stronger and remain united in holding Putin accountable for his malign actions,” they said. “It’s time Hungary upholds its commitment to the transatlantic family and immediately votes on Sweden’s accession protocols.”