The Swedish parliament has approved a controversial agreement on military cooperation with the USA. The Swedish parliament announced this late Tuesday evening. After a five-hour debate, 266 MPs voted for the agreement and 37 against it. The agreement regulates the conditions for a US military presence in Sweden.

The two countries agreed to the defense agreement in December, which allows US troops to use 17 military facilities in Sweden. These include military airfields and naval bases, as well as ground force sites scattered across the country where the US can deploy military personnel and equipment and conduct exercises.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson was satisfied: The agreement creates significantly better conditions for support from the USA in the event of a crisis or war, the broadcaster SVT quoted him as saying. “It contributes to stability throughout Northern Europe.” Critics complained that the agreement did not contain any wording on the stationing of nuclear weapons. The government, however, pointed out that Sweden’s position of not allowing nuclear weapons on Swedish soil in peacetime was known and respected.

Traditionally non-aligned, Sweden has only recently become a NATO member. It applied for membership together with Finland in May 2022, almost three months after the Russian attack on Ukraine. While Finland joined in April 2023, Sweden’s admission was delayed until March 7 of this year due to resistance from Turkey and Hungary.

The fact that Russia is increasing its unspoken pressure on Sweden can be seen in another decision from diplomatic circles. After a suspected violation of Swedish airspace by a Russian military aircraft, Sweden summoned the Russian ambassador.

The Foreign Ministry in Stockholm announced on Tuesday that the incident was about “the Russian violation of Swedish airspace on Friday, June 14.” According to Swedish sources, the Russian SU-24 bomber flew over the Baltic island of Gotland, which lies about 350 kilometers from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The Swedish Air Force Command warned the Russian aircraft about the overflight, the Swedish army said. However, the aircraft did not deviate from its route, so it was expelled from Swedish airspace by two JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets. Russia has not yet commented on the allegations.

Gotland is of strategic importance to the Swedish military for controlling the sea and airspace in the Baltic Sea.