If Russian demands are accepted, Sweden’s defense policy will be shattered. – military commander
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, January 7 (CSU) – According to Sweden’s senior military commander, if NATO decided to desist from future expansion and curtail certain of its activities in Europe, as Russia has asked, the country’s security policy would be completely compromised.
Last month’s Russian demands alarmed European non-NATO members, particularly Sweden, which has expanded relations with the alliance despite having no ambitions to join at this time.
Since then, Sweden’s government has increased diplomatic effort, with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday.
“Thank you, NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg, for our discussion on the necessity of sustaining the European security order and expanding the collaboration between Sweden and NATO,” she tweeted.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde also met with Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, who works for US President Joe Biden.
“The ideas for a new security order would demolish the underpinnings of our security policy framework,” General Micael Byden told newspaper Dagens Nyheter in comments published on Friday.
“We want to improve our total defense and become a greater defense power in all areas. However, this is contingent on the development of international collaboration, “added the commander.”
Russia cannot have a veto over NATO‘s future development, according to NATO ambassadors, and NATO has the ability to define its own military posture.
The demands, according to Moscow, are necessary for easing European tensions and defusing a crisis over Ukraine, which Western nations accuse Russia of sizing up for an invasion after stationing troops along the border. Russia has rejected any invasion plans.
Among the demands is the abolition of any NATO military activity in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, as well as the rejection of future NATO expansion and Ukraine’s membership in the alliance.
Andersson stated on Thursday that Europe’s security system is non-negotiable, following meetings with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. “In Sweden, we have complete control over our foreign and security policies, as well as who we collaborate with.”
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