Sweden plans to deploy its soldiers in the Finnish province of Lapland as part of cooperation with NATO. This region borders Russia.
This was stated by the chairman of the Swedish Parliament's Defense Committee, Peter Hultqvist, in a comment to Iltalehti.
'I know that the Swedish defense forces and the government are preparing to send troops to Finland. This will be done as part of cooperation with NATO,' Hultqvist noted.
He clarified that forces are currently being formed in northern Finland, including soldiers from various countries, and Sweden will participate in such an operation. Norwegian military personnel will also be part of these forces.
According to Iltalehti, the creation of joint forces was discussed even before Finland and Sweden became NATO members.
Hultqvist noted that the deployment of Swedish soldiers in Finnish Lapland would send a strong signal to the Russian authorities.
'It is important that we take note of Russia's actions and, as part of our security policy, make it clear to them that we share responsibility for the Northern Calotte (a part of Norway, Sweden, and Finland located north of the Arctic Circle),' he added.
