The U.S. and Sweden signed a major defense cooperation agreement that gives American troops access to bases on Swedish territory as the Nordic nation forges closer ties with western allies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson at the Pentagon on Tuesday to sign the agreement, which Stockholm has touted as necessary to boost national security.
Jonson said the agreement “sends a strong signal that we remain committed to addressing security challenges together.”
“The Defense cooperation agreement will be a cornerstone also in our bilateral defense cooperation and a sign of our mutual will to further develop this endeavor,” the Swedish defense minister said in remarks at the signing.
The agreement, which must be signed by Sweden’s parliament before entering into force, allows U.S. forces to operate in Sweden, providing them legal status there and access to deployment areas.
The pact will boost the U.S. presence in northern Europe as it confronts a growing threat from Russia on the continent. Washington has also signed a defense agreement with Norway and is negotiating deals with Finland and Denmark.
At the Pentagon on Tuesday, Austin said the pact with Sweden is a sign of a “shared commitment to the defense relationship between our two proud democracies.”
The Russian invasion of Ukraine spurred Sweden and Finland to join the western security alliance NATO and to seek closer western ties.
Finland has already been included in the alliance and Sweden appears on track of joining after a pledge from Turkey to ratify the country’s accession.
Sweden’s government says the defense agreement is a response to the Russian invasion and a security environment that has “fundamentally changed.”
“The deteriorating situation means that Sweden must be able to respond quickly to complex security developments,” Sweden’s government said of the deal.