Blinken and Stoltenberg to Become Swedish Knights

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will be knighted in Sweden for their role in creating the conditions for the Scandinavian country's accession to the Alliance.

This was announced by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, as quoted by AP.

In addition to Blinken and Stoltenberg, former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and former Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto will also receive the Royal Order of the North Star.

This Swedish order is awarded to foreign citizens and stateless persons ‘for extraordinary efforts in the name of Sweden's interests’.

‘These awards are an expression of our great appreciation for the efforts of these people in connection with Sweden's membership in NATO,’ Kristersson said.

Sweden completed the process of joining NATO in March 2024 after nearly 200 years of neutrality. The country is ready to take command of NATO's forward ground forces, which will be deployed in Finland, and these units will be responsible for peacetime operations.

In addition, in October, it was announced that starting in 2025, the Swedish military will join NATO's joint forces on land, sea and air. The government has finalised the relevant draft law and is submitting it to the Riksdag.