Sweden's NATO accession turns Baltic Sea into strategic 'NATO lake'
The strategically important Baltic Sea was dubbed the "NATO lake" after Sweden got Hungary's consent to join the military alliance.
The last piece of the puzzle
"This country's accession to the Alliance constitutes the last piece of the puzzle around the coastal areas that serve as a crucial maritime gateway for Russia, facilitating NATO's control and strengthening of the defenseless Baltic states" - assesses Daily Mail.
Analysts suggest that this will mean that the Western allies, including the UK and the US, will be "well-prepared to squeeze Russia's maneuvering room on the critical maritime route, should a war with Moscow ever break out."
"NATO has a lot to do"
Moscow, however, will still manage to threaten underwater infrastructure and the region from its bases near Saint Petersburg and the heavily armed Kaliningrad Oblast. Experts warn that "NATO must remain vigilant against the Russian threat."
- If you look at the map, from a geographical point of view, the Baltic Sea turns into a NATO lake - stated Minna Alander, a research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. - But NATO has still got a lot to do - she added.
Hungary gives the green light. After 20 months
On Monday, the Hungarian parliament ratified the agreement for Sweden's accession to NATO. Hungary, as the last Alliance country, gave Sweden's accession the nod, which had been awaited for this moment for 20 months.
188 MPs voted "yes," including deputies of the ruling coalition in Hungary, Fidesz-KDNP, and the majority of the opposition parties, with 6 votes "against".
