Sweden officially became a member of NATO on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the country's defense policy.

A flag-raising ceremony was held at NATO's headquarters in Brussels on Monday, attended by notable figures including Crown Princess Victoria, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Stoltenberg hailed Sweden's entry as a boon for both the country and the alliance's security, emphasizing Sweden's transition from a partner to an ally.

Kristersson highlighted Sweden's unique military capabilities and announced plans to double the defense budget to meet NATO's spending goal of 2% of GDP.

The accession comes amid heightened threats from Russia, with Kristersson stressing the importance of vigilance against cyber and hybrid attacks.