The Latest Breaking News from Sweden

LVIV, Ukraine — Signaling what they called a “new era,” leaders of Finland and Sweden said Sunday they will seek membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization within days, a move almost certain to escalate geopolitical tensions arising from the Russian war in Ukraine.

Sweden follows Finland in application to join Nato; Nato pledges open-ended military support to Ukraine; British intelligence estimates Russia has lost a third of invasion force

Sweden's Prime Minister says Russia only has itself to blame to more countries wanting to join the military alliance, saying: "The Kremlin has shown that they are prepared to use violence to achieve their political objectives."

NATO expects the Nordic countries’ membership bid will not be hindered by Ankara, whose concerns will be addressed.

Sweden’s Social Democrats has decided to back NATO membership in a historic decision that paves the way for joining neighboring Finland in an entry bid over the coming days.

Sweden’s governing party has backed joining Nato, reversing its decades long opposition, with a Government announcement expected Monday.

The GOP leader spoke from Stockholm following a trip to Kyiv. He backed Sweden and Finland joining NATO and pushed back on more isolationist voices in his party.

Sweden's security needs are best served by NATO membership, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Sunday, after her party abandoned decades of opposition to joining the U.S.-led alliance in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

It's the latest historic shift in Europe precipitated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.