NATO logo in front of Brussels headquartersMOSCOW, Feb 16The Swedish government once again confirmed its intention not to join NATO, however, Stockholm will combine its neutrality with an increase in the combat readiness of the armed forces and the deepening of international cooperation in the field of defense, follows from Sweden's foreign policy declaration. «The government does not intend to apply for membership in NATO «The line of security policy is unchanged. Our neutrality serves us well and contributes to stability and security in Northern Europe. We combine this with a defense policy that rests on two pillars: strengthening national capabilities and expanding international cooperation in the field of defense,» the declaration says .
Ukraine asked NATO for mine-clearing equipment, SUVs and medicines. The document also notes that the only way to reduce tensions in Europe is to continue diplomatic dialogue. However, as the declaration says, «Sweden will not be passive if a catastrophe or attack hits another EU country or a Scandinavian country.» The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), from the point of view of the Swedish government, is an important force that will allow «to cope with the deteriorating security situation in Europe.» Earlier, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said that Sweden does not intend to join NATO and change its foreign policy, but Stockholm maintains a partnership with the North Atlantic Alliance.
Putin recalled the war unleashed by NATO against Belgrade At the same time, the number of Swedish citizens who signed up for the military reserve in January 2022 more than doubled the corresponding figure for January last year against the background of the situation with the security policy. Plans attributed to Russia to escalate the situation around Ukraine in Moscow are categorically denied and constantly stated that no one is threatened, and all such statements are used as an excuse to deploy more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. As Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier, Russia does not create any pretexts for a conflict situation around Ukraine. According to him, Russia does not rule out that the hysteria around Ukraine, hyped by the West, is aimed at covering Kiev's line of sabotaging the Minsk agreements on Donbass. The Kremlin said that the US and NATO information hysteria over Ukraine is generously framed by lies and fakes. Statements that Russia is allegedly preparing provocations in Ukraine continue to come from the West, despite the return of Russian troops to their places of deployment after the exercises. On Monday, the President of the Russian Federation held a meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. At a meeting with Putin, the head of the RF Ministry of Defense reported that «some of the exercises are coming to an end, some will be completed in the near future.» The southern and western military districts of the Russian Federation have begun returning troops to their places of deployment, Major General Igor Konashenkov, an official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry, told reporters on Tuesday. announced NATO's attempts to single-handedly determine the course of events in Europe
