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Activist Post
September 12, 2015
Another geopolitical storm is brewing. This time, however, waves are being made between lines largely already drawn even if not officially acknowledged.
Sweden and Russia are now engaged in a war of words regarding Sweden’s plan to formerly join NATO, a plan that the Russians clearly oppose.
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, stated that “Swedish membership in NATO would have politico-military and foreign policy consequences, and would require retaliatory measures from Russia.”
“Defense and national security strategy is up to each sovereign state to decide. However, we still consider Sweden’s policy of non-participation in military blocs to be an important factor for the stability of northern Europe,” she added.
It has been reported in a number of different media outlets over the last year that Sweden has been considering membership in NATO.
Back in June, 2015, the Russian Ambassador to Sweden, Viktor Tartarinstev, stated that if Sweden decided to join NATO, it may provoke a military response from Russia. He stated,
I don’t think it will become relevant in the near future, even though there has been a certain swing in public opinion. But if it happens there will be counter measures. Putin pointed out that there will be consequences, that Russia will have to resort to a response of a military kind and reorientate our troops and missiles. The country that joins NATO needs to be aware of the risks it is exposing itself to.
