– We are of course vigilant on such a possible development, says Claesson.
Russian aircraft and ships that mark presence in the Baltic Sea, harsh rhetoric, verbal threats and cyber attacks are examples of such “we can expect” during the application process, he says.
– It is a short-term risk to be able to achieve a coherent and long-term security in the long run.
Sweden has previously “built trust” with the other NATO countries, says Claesson, and has something to offer the defense alliance by, together with Finland, taking responsibility for security in the immediate area.
– We will not stand with the hat in hand.
According to Claesson, a membership in NATO raises “significantly the threshold” for those who “consider using military force” against Sweden.