There has not yet been any official reaction from Russia to the news that Sweden has taken the last big step towards NATO membership.
– The only thing you can be sure of is that Russia will not like that we are in NATO, said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
Martin Kragh, Russia researcher and deputy director of the Center for Eastern European Studies, thinks that one can learn from Russia’s reaction to Finland’s entry into NATO.
– It was strongly worded. They said it was a threat, that it changed the security situation and that it was an unfriendly move from the Finnish side, says Martin Kragh.
– If there is any reaction in the next few days, it will certainly sound the same, he continues.
Putin sees NATO as a political threat
Martin Kragh believes that the Russian view of NATO differs slightly depending on who you ask. Military sources in the General Staff, for example, believe he sees NATO as a more long-term military threat. While President Vladimir Putin’s criticism is more about the politics and ideology of the defense alliance.
– He has described both NATO and the EU as political threats to Russia. He believes that we represent foreign values that Russia cannot tolerate, says Martin Kragh.