Sweden says joining NATO will reduce risk of conflict in Northern Europe

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist at a press conference on May 13 reuters

Reuters reported Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde on May 13 announced the country’s accession NATO will have a stabilizing effect and bring benefits to surrounding countries Baltic Sea.

“Sweden’s Membership NATO will raise the threshold for conflict military and thus has the effect of preventing conflict in Northern Europe,” Linde told reporters as she presented the parliamentary security policy review.

According to the report, Switzerland would be more vulnerable if it were the only Nordic or Baltic country outside of NATO. However, the report also indicated that Russia could react if Sweden applied to join the US-led military alliance.

“If Sweden chooses to join NATO, there is a risk of a reaction from Russia,” said Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist.

“However, should that be the case, we are prepared to deal with any response,” added Hultqvist.

Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine has forced Sweden and neighboring Finland to openly choose sides after remaining neutral for decades.

The Swedish parliament’s report comes just a day after the leadership Finland support joining NATO. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin On May 12, it announced that the country must apply to join the NATO military alliance immediately. A special Finnish committee will officially announce its decision to apply for NATO membership on May 15.

Stockholm is supposed to follow Helsinki and can apply to join NATO as early as May 16.

Russia has repeatedly warned both countries not to join NATO. Recently, Deputy Ambassador of Russia Dmitry Polyansky in United Nation while giving an interview to the online magazine UnHerd (UK) stated that Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO and the deployment of the alliance’s military units on the territory would make these two countries a potential target. Russian capabilities.