Swedish Foreign Minister: EU should prepare for a "prolonged" conflict with Russia

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Bilstrom foresees a "long" conflict with Russia. He said this in an interview with DW, UNN reports.

Details

Sweden's chief diplomat was quoted as warning that the European Union should "prepare for a prolonged conflict with Russia."

"We have to see this war for what it is," said Bylström. - "This is a war between a country that feels no constraints, that wants to reclaim its former imperial past, and it has to stop.

Accordingly, according to Bilstrom, the EU must make sure that Ukraine regains all the territories seized by Moscow and "puts a stop to Russia once and for all.

The Swedish foreign minister expressed optimism about Ukraine's chances of winning the war, the newspaper writes.

"In fact, I don't feel tired at all, and neither does my country," he said of Ukraine's chances of winning.

When asked about the prospect of sending NATO troops to Ukraine, a recent controversial proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron, Bistreuil shifted the conversation to Ukraine's "needs," the newspaper notes.

He emphasized the importance of organizing training missions for the Ukrainian military outside of Ukraine, similar to those in which Stockholm participated.

"So we have to do more, of course, but that doesn't mean we have to do it on Ukrainian soil. We can accomplish a lot outside of Ukraine," said Bylström.

Sweden's Foreign Minister said that continued support for Ukraine is vital in its fight against Russia, which is now in its third year.

He said that military, financial and political assistance was needed.

"The EU should refuse to provide packages," he said. - "We must find a formula to achieve long-term support (for) Ukraine, both financial and military.

He also defended the level of his country's continued support for Ukraine. "We are doing a lot. We are ready to do more. Now we are also joining the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition," he said.

Ukraine has asked Sweden to provide it with Gripen fighter jets. The request, made by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his first visit to Sweden last August, is still under consideration.

In response to this request, Bylström said that the Swedish Armed Forces had submitted a report that is now being analyzed by government agencies.

"When this analysis is ready, we will be ready to give an answer, but now is not the time," he said.

He also said that the accession of two Nordic countries, Sweden and Finland, means that all Baltic Sea countries, with the exception of Russia, are NATO members.

He predicted that this would "greatly add to stability and security in this part of the world.

Addendum

Sweden became a new NATO member earlier this month after an application process that took almost two years to complete. The country, like its northern neighbor Finland, abandoned its neutral military stance after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.