In view of a possible Russian threat, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson also stressed from EU states that her country would intervene militarily.
“Since we joined the EU, we’re not really neutral anymore,” she said on Monday after a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In the EU there is an obligation to provide assistance, Sweden will also help partners militarily in case of an emergency.
So far, Sweden is not a member of a defense alliance like NATO, Andersson said. But there is now an internal political discussion about whether that should change. The security situation in the Baltic region has been deteriorating for a long time.
Submarines in territorial waters
Sweden has repeatedly complained that unknown submarines – presumably from Russia – are penetrating Swedish sovereign waters. Andersson announced that Sweden would increase its military spending to 2% of economic output. This is also the target of NATO countries.
Scholz stressed that the EU assistance clause is not an empty promise. “When it comes down to it, that’s also something you can count on,” he said. One clause is anchored in the EU treaty that stipulates mutual protection in the event of attacks. NATO also provides for an obligation to provide assistance.
Asked if Sweden could be a model for Ukraine, the prime minister stressed that each country has the right to decide for itself where it wants to be a member. Russia is against NATO membership for Ukraine. So far, the Ukrainian government has sought admission to both NATO and the EU.