In an interview with The Guardian, Sweden’s Defense Minister, Paul Jonsson, expressed his concern about Russia and emphasized the need for his country to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for its own security. However, he also stated that he did not want to completely dismiss Russia as a threat, as the country has demonstrated its resilience in Ukraine.
While Jonsson did not provide a specific timeline for Sweden’s NATO membership, he expressed confidence that Turkey and Hungary would eventually approve Sweden’s inclusion in the alliance. This statement comes after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that NATO does not perceive Russia as a military threat.
Despite this, Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO remains vigilant and has increased its military presence in Eastern Europe due to the conflict in Ukraine. This move aims to ensure the security of NATO member states in the region.
It is worth noting that earlier in Sweden, there were discussions about burning the NATO Charter, indicating a level of skepticism towards the alliance. However, Jonsson’s recent remarks highlight the evolving security concerns in the region and Sweden’s desire to strengthen its defense capabilities through NATO membership.
