Russia may attack Sweden to gain control over the Baltic Sea, stated the country’s Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson.
“Russia poses a threat to Sweden, just as it does to the rest of NATO. We cannot exclude the possibility of a Russian attack on our country,” Jonson said in an interview with the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita.
According to him, although Kremlin forces are “tied up in Ukraine” and cannot mount a serious offensive, Russian leadership has previously shown that it is “willing to take serious military and political risks.”
“Russia has redeployed some of its airborne troops from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, but mainly its fleet in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad remains untouched,” Jonson noted.
He emphasized that the military and commercial significance of the Baltic Sea for the Kremlin has increased even more since the start of the war in Ukraine.
“Therefore, we must take into account Russia’s aggressive intentions in our military plans,” the Swedish Minister of Defense concluded.
Recently, Russia has repeatedly threatened NATO and its allies. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at the end of September that Moscow is “fully prepared” for a potential military conflict with NATO countries in the Arctic, one of which is Sweden.
In May, Russia unilaterally decided to shift its state border in the Baltic Sea, specifically expanding its territorial waters near the state borders of Lithuania and Finland. This followed a draft government resolution, which was later removed from public access without explanation.
Earlier, Sweden reinforced the defense of Gotland Island in the Baltic Sea due to concerns that Russia might attempt to take control of it. “If [Russian President Vladimir] Putin invades Gotland, he could threaten NATO countries from the sea. This would mean the end of peace and stability in the Nordic countries and the Baltic region,” said former Supreme Commander of the Kingdom's Armed Forces Mikael Budén.
He warned that Russia could blockade the Baltic Sea, which would have a huge impact on Northern Europe.
“We cannot allow that,” Budén emphasized.
