Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, has congratulated Sweden on its decision to join NATO. In doing so, he highlighted the strength and capabilities of Sweden’s armed forces and emphasized that their participation will enhance global collective security. Austin also noted that Sweden’s decision serves as a reminder that the conflict in Ukraine is not caused by NATO expansion; rather, NATO’s expansion is driven by the need to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This announcement comes as important news from Sweden and contributes to the ongoing discussions about international security.