Sweden: Russia most serious long-term threat to Europe’s security

The Swedish Defence Commission sees Russia as the most serious long-term threat to Europe’s and Sweden’s security.

The commission made the remarks in its report on Sweden’s Security Policy to Defence Minister Pål Jonson on 19 June 2023.  

“A large-scale war rages in Europe due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The impacts of the war are not limited to Ukraine. Russia has long considered itself in conflict with the entire Western world. The Defence Commission sees Russia as the most serious long-term threat to Europe’s and Sweden’s security,” the report read.

The report states that although China does not pose a direct military threat to Sweden, its actions and increasing geopolitical competition are creating a more vulnerable situation for small and medium-sized states.

“The rapidly changing security situation in the Indo-Pacific region is of great importance to relations between international powers and global stability. A major war in the region cannot be ruled out. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent acceleration of cooperation between China and Russia have further highlighted the link between Europe’s and Asia’s security. The increasing geopolitical power competition is making it more difficult to deal with global threats such as climate change, pandemics, attacks on strategic infrastructure, terrorism, violent extremism, and organised crime,” the report continued.

Besides, it was pointed out that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, violations of international law, disregard for the European security order and opposition to free, open, and democratic societies have significantly deteriorated the security situation in Sweden’s immediate neighbourhood and the rest of Europe.

“Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and China’s increased territorial claims show that conflicts over territory by military means are once again a reality. As a result, Swedish security policy is undergoing a profound change. Sweden’s forthcoming NATO membership is the biggest change in Swedish defence and security policy in over 200 years,” the commission noted.

According to the Defence Commission, it is in Sweden’s vital national security interests to defend Sweden’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

“We are ultimately prepared to use armed force to defend our country, our people, our democracy, our freedom, and our way of life. Swedish membership in NATO will enhance Sweden’s security. It will also contribute to strengthening the security and stability in our immediate neighbourhood and the Euro-Atlantic region as a whole,” the commission emphasised.

The Swedish Defence Commission’s work is still in progress. In a final report due on 26 April 2024, the Commission will present proposals on the direction and development of Sweden’s total defence, covering both military and civil defence, for the next Defence Bill period.