Swedish Troops to be Sent to Latvia
8 January, 2024 Military of Sweden. Photo credits: Forsvarsmakten Next year, Sweden will send troops to Latvia as part of a Canadian-led force to deter Russia from attacking.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson made this declaration given that his country has not yet attained full NATO membership. Kristersson said he "will not waste time waiting for the final ratification" of his country's NATO membership and warned that Russia is "trying to destabilize the whole of Europe" through threats, disinformation and cyberattacks. Sweden is still waiting for Turkey and Hungary to approve its NATO membership application, which it submitted at the same time as Finland in May 2022.
Finland became a NATO member in May 2023. "We and our neighbors live in the direct shadow of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. But with threats, disinformation and cyberattacks, Russia is trying to destabilize the whole of Europe," he said during the National Defense Conference on Monday.
Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden.
Photo from open sources
He noted that Sweden, the EU, and the U.S. should continue to support Ukraine. "Continued American support implies strong support for Europe. Criticism of America's lack of involvement sounds wrong if we do not stand up for our own continent," the Prime Minister said.
He added that "Sweden has a unique military capability - in the air and underwater; with intelligence capabilities and hardened soldiers." According to him, Sweden will contribute to NATO's defense and deterrence and is ready to provide ground combat units to protect the Baltic states.
Servicemen of the Swedish Air Force guarding an American F-16C. Photo from the network
"Today I can say that the government aims to have Sweden participate with a reduced battalion in the Canadian-led force in Latvia," he added.
Ukraine, he said, has demonstrated that "the most important resource of a country in war is the common will to defend," which is why, according to him, Sweden is reintroducing civilian duty on January 19.
Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin said that civilian duty would involve appropriately trained civilians in emergency services, strengthening their ability to respond to an emergency or attack.