Hungary can ratify Sweden’s NATO bid as soon as February 26 when the country’s parliament reconvenes, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Saturday.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (left) meets Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban on Feb. 23, ahead of Monday's key vote in Hungary's parliament on Sweden's bid to join NATO.

Hungary’s Parliament voted on Monday to accept Sweden as a new member of NATO, sealing a major shift in the balance of power between the West and Russia set off by war in Ukraine.

After the vote in Hungary’s parliament, Sweden is set to become NATO’s 32nd member, possibly within the week, completing an effort catalyzed by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Hungary’s parliament ratified Sweden’s NATO membership bid, ending over 18 months of delays spurred by opposition from Hungary's nationalist government. The vote passed overwhelmingly with 188 ...

Sweden tried to join the NATO military alliance at the same time as Finland, in May 2022, due to a policy shift related to Ukraine. Its bid was held up first by Turkey, then Hungary.

Hungary’s nationalist government, after holding up a vote on Sweden’s membership in NATO for more than 18 months, appears ready to agree to the move.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, left, shakes hands with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Feb 23, 2024.

Critics accuse Viktor Orban of stalling Hungary's approval of Sweden's NATO bid in an attempt to extract concessions from the EU, and prove his weight on the world stage.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a press conference with his Sweden’s counterpart Ulf Kristersson at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Feb 23, 2024.

Hungary's Prime Minister Victor Orban briefs the media in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 10, 2020. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban sent a letter to his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson ...