Putin Will See "More NATO" on His Borders: Swedish MoD

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, in an interview with the German publication BILD, addressed the provocations carried out by Russia in NATO airspace and the alliance's possible response, emphasizing that Putin's actions will only lead to the expansion of the alliance's presence on his borders.

Referring to the violations of air borders by Russian aircraft and drones, Jonson stated that the decision to shoot them down should be made not by a bureaucrat, but by the commander of the operation. "In Sweden, there is a principle: if our airspace is violated, the commanders are authorized to take all necessary measures. We will protect our territorial integrity and Swedish soil," he emphasized.

According to the minister, Putin only understands the language of force, and in such conditions, "good fences make good neighbors." He noted that the membership of Sweden and Finland in NATO is a direct consequence of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. "This means that whoever provokes should expect a response. The cause of the escalation is not NATO, but Russia," Jonson added.

Speaking about the Ukrainian conflict, the Swedish Defense Minister noted that no one can claim that Russia is winning this war. In his assessment, Putin is not achieving significant success, and the Russian economy is bleeding. "One thing is absolutely clear: in the end, the Ukrainians must have the opportunity to negotiate from a position of strength. That is why it is important that we now strengthen Kyiv by providing comprehensive support," he said.

Jonson also expressed the opinion that although Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordic-Baltic countries are providing significant support, it would be desirable for all of Europe to join this process. He considered the idea of using frozen Russian assets to support the Ukrainian defense industry to be open for discussion.

As for the possibility of sending NATO troops to Ukraine, Jonson noted that this could be discussed after a ceasefire or a peace agreement to support the restoration of the armed forces and provide advice. "In the end, the best security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian army," he concluded.