NATO presence in Baltic Sea to increase if Sweden applies to join - Stoltenberg

  • 2022-05-06
  • LETA/DPA/TBT Staff

STOCKHOLM - Sweden can expect an increased presence of the military alliance around the Scandinavian country and in the Baltic Sea in the event of an application to join NATO, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview published on Thursday.

Stoltenberg said in the interview with Swedish radio station SVT that he was convinced that solutions for Sweden's security guarantees would be found in a transitional period between application and membership. 

As soon as Sweden submits a possible application and NATO welcomes the country and starts the accession process, the alliance has a strong political commitment to guarantee Sweden's security, he said.

This could be shown in various ways, including the increased presence of NATO and NATO troops around Sweden and in the Baltic Sea.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to intensive discussions in Sweden, as well as in  neighboring Finland, about possible NATO membership.