We are not at war, but we are not at peace either - Swedish PM

RIGA - We are not at war, but we are not in peacetime either, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Friday as he participated in a ceremony in Adazi to mark a Swedish mechanized infantry battalion joining the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia.

The Swedish prime minister stressed in his speech that peace and security are not mere words and that Sweden is showing it in deeds. Swedish troops in Latvia are not important just for the security of Latvia and Sweden but the whole of NATO, Kristersson said, noting that Sweden joined NATO both to feel safer and to make NATO stronger.

"The world is changing fast, and we are stronger when we stick together. We are not at war, but we are not in peacetime either. Hybrid threats and other incidents are on the rise, but we are able to ensure stability," the Swedish prime minister said.

Kristersson noted that three years ago Russia started the war on European soil, although nobody wanted this war and nobody provoked this country. "It was only wanted by the Russian government and Putin. If Russia wanted, the war in Europe could be over now," Kristersson.

"We cannot allow ourselves to lose this struggle and lose our freedom. Our mission is not to cause war, but to prevent it", the Swedish prime minister added.

During a change of command ceremony in Adazi, the Swedish Mechanized Infantry Battalion from the South Skane Regiment was officially integrated into the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. The event concluded with a military parade, demonstrating the unity of the allies and the strengthening of regional security.

As reported, in mid-January a Swedish Mechanized Infantry Battalion from the South Skane Regiment arrived in Latvia to join the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, as part of the Multinational Division North based in the country.

Around 500 Swedish soldiers will serve with the NATO brigade in Latvia.

This is Sweden's first NATO mission since the country joined the Alliance.