Top Swedish officials have urged the country's citizens to prepare for a potential war, amid rising tensions with Moscow. The statements were made at the Folk och Forsvar National Conference in Salen.
In a speech on Sunday, Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom hailed his country’s expected membership in NATO as “the biggest change in Swedish security policy in more than 200 years.”
Billstrom warned that “Russia will constitute a serious threat to the security of Sweden and Europe for the foreseeable future.” He added that Stockholm “must be realistic and assume – and be prepared for – a drawn-out confrontation.”
Last year, Sweden ditched its policy of non-alignment in favor of joining NATO, citing Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, which was launched in February 2022. The neighboring state of Finland opted for the same, joining NATO in April 2023.
Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov has accused the West of turning Europe into an “arena for confrontation.” The accession of Finland and Sweden will “have a negative impact on the situation in Europe,” he warned.
Moscow has also stated that the deliveries of weapons and money to Kiev make NATO countries de facto participants in the conflict.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
@9HYFQFB1yr1Y
Our president is stupid and made enemies with all the other countries when we had them all in line.
@9HY5FZQ1yr1Y
I think that we are getting ready for world war 3
Isn't this just lovely – I'm sure Biden will send them tens of billions of stolen taxpayer dollars just like Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan! We need to instantly withdraw from NATO or we will find ourselves in WORLD WAR III!
@9CJ6CB61yr1Y
wed actually be more likely to have global chaos if NATO dissolves. We all know that a single European country on its own can’t take on Russia. Without aid, they’d be crushed, and they’d be emboldened to keep going until nuclear attacks might become necessary, then we really do have problems. Isolationism just really doesn’t work, we leave now, Russia and China will be guaranteed to fill the vacuum.
That's a straw man fallacy right there. I never said "dissolve" NATO, I said "WITHDRAW FROM" Nato. There's a difference. Just because we're not in NATO doesn't mean I have any problems with European nations continuing to be in it. In fact, that's what I'd recommend. But for us, it's stupid be palling up with European nations when the continent is on the brink of war. Europe can pall up all it's want, it's not America so I don't give a darn.
@9HYC4RM1yr1Y
It would be very unwise for Russia to invade Sweden, since Sweden is slowly being integrated into NATO.
@9HYJZ791yr1Y
I think we keep getting ourselves involved in wars that are prolonged, agitated, and do not concern us (originally)
@ViperFredDemocrat1yr1Y
Sweden will support Ukraine! We are mighty impressed how you handle this awful situation and will do all we can to make you defeat the invaders!
Slava Ukraini!
Ukraine is a hopelessly corrupted state, led by Dictator Zelensky, who has banned ELEVEN political parties opposed to his regime not to mention an ENTIRE RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION! He is using our aid to line his own pockets! And he has the TEMERITY to beg us for more money at a time when our debts are in the TENS UPON TENS OF TRILLIONS!
@9CJ6CB61yr1Y
Yet we still hold the largest economy on earth. I’d love to see the irony of this situation if our places were flipped.
You've addressed none of my information about Zelensky's tyranny, about how he banned eleven opposition parties and an entire religious denomination, to which I may add that lots of the places Russia is attacking in fact wish to be a part of Russia. But let's set these major logical problems for you aside for just one moment and consider the absurd argument you've presented. You've made a syllogism argument, with a missing premise, to avoid directly using a fallacy. Your argument is
(1) Nations which have larger economies than others have a duty to intervene in the war… Read more
The banning of eleven opposition parties and an entire religious denomination in Ukraine, if true, is indeed concerning. Is it a simple power grab or a response to perceived foreign influence and potential national security threats? Remember, even democratic countries have been known to take extreme measures during times of crisis.
As for the assertion that many places Russia is attacking wish to be a part of Russia, it's essential to consider whether these sentiments are genuinely widespread or fueled by propaganda. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, for example, was met with… Read more
@9CJ6CB61yr1Y
Zelensky is a president we can regulate as a world if their country survives. They’re applying for NATO, and many requirements are needing to be kept in order to do so, including anti-corruption standards. The fact that they’re doing that shows openness to positive change, including perfecting their democracy, as is required to join NATO. Putin was the aggressor in this war as well, he refuses a real democracy, he started the fight, he decides what candidates are even able to run. Zelensky isn’t great, but he’s better, he’s not closing himself off, and unlike the… Read more
@9HYMBG71yr1Y
It shows how much tension is actually out there in the world outside of the U.S.
@9HY4JCS1yr1Y
Expanding a war with Russia with Western Europe is dangerous, as Russia might resort to nukes if they are losing
@MuesliMike1yr1Y
So government told us to get ready for war, I guess it's game on with Russia. it's been since 1808.
Why are NATO countries located next to Russia only a threat in the direction if Russia? Shouldn’t the menace that is Finland also be terrorizing Sweden and Norway?
@DrearyGnuRepublican1yr1Y
NATO is not so much a threat to Russia as it is a threat to Russia’s plans.
@CivilRightsHyena1yr1Y
The small neighbors of russia, are always trying to menace russians, attack their huge country, destroy their property.
Such are us us finns, estonians, latvians, lithuanians, poles, ukrainians. we like to test ourselves against the large militaristic neighbor
@9CJ6CB61yr1Y
Well, that’s the part of NATO, it’s not just for Russia, it’s for aggressors to NATO.
@9HY68KC1yr1Y
I think war should be avoided as much as possible.
@9HYKMVK1yr1Y
I think is terrible that countries are involved in wars.
@9HYF7KL1yr1Y
I didn't even hear about this but Russia needs to calm down.
@9HYKR3XRepublican1yr1Y
It will lead to a reduction in the efficiency of eliminating global long term problems.
@9HYBG97Republican1yr1Y
It just sounds like a harmful issue.
@9HY84HN1yr1Y
I don't really care because it does not effect me yet.
@9HY8MBQ1yr1Y
@9HYSVZMProgressive1yr1Y
It’s a step closer to all out war and that’s bad all around
@9HYBLFD 1yr1Y
I should be more informational and bias.
@9HYM9P3Libertarian1yr1Y
Russia seems to be led by another stable genius / dictator *** wipe.
Sweden has to prepare for war with Russia because the rest of the west is too dumb and arrogant to not see the writing on the wall and give Ukraine what they need.
@9CJ6CB61yr1Y
Well, most of the west is trying, it’s just delicate since Russia is still breathing down everyone’s neck
@9HY4CBPRepublican1yr1Y
The fact that people are just waiting for world war 3 to happen its insane
war, because this might cause ww3 which is scary
@9HYGY6W1yr1Y
Russia's power is not to be undermined, and a war with their involvement can reach worldwide. This would be important to look after, not only because of fear of Russia, but to avoid war whether we are involved or not.
@9HYGWPJ1yr1Y
I think that everyone should join the fight and take over Russia
@9HYC5WF1yr1Y
War with other nations should be brought attention.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
If joining a military alliance like NATO dramatically alters a nation's security policy, do you believe it's a sign of strength or an act of provocation?
@9CJ6CB61yr1Y
Possibly both, Russia could interpret it as provocation, though the world will likely disagree.
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