WASHINGTON, March 8. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson discussed preparations for the NATO summit, support for Ukraine and bilateral defense cooperation at a meeting in Washington, according to statement by Spokesperson for the US Department of State Matthew Miller.

"The Secretary and Prime Minister Kristersson discussed how Sweden can immediately contribute to Alliance priorities and preparations for the NATO summit in Washington in July. They also discussed support for Ukraine and deepening defense and economic cooperation between the United States and Sweden," the statement said.

Blinken, Kristersson, and Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom also discussed "the historic occasion of the deposit of Sweden’s NATO instrument of accession in Washington." "Secretary Blinken offered warmest congratulations on Sweden’s completion of its final step to becoming the 32nd NATO Ally," the statement said.

Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev said earlier that Sweden's entry into NATO is one of the most short-sighted decisions in the history of the kingdom and the state will now be perceived by Russia as a threat.