Friday. 19.04.2024
RUSSIA-UKRAINE TENSIONS

Sweden increases presence on Gotland in view of Ukraine conflict

Meanwhile a large Russian cargo plane made a lengthy detour through Finnish airspace last weekend, according to the Finnish radio station Yle

Image of the reinforcement military deployment on the Swedish island of Gotland. Photo: Emy Åklundh /Försvarsmakten/Swedish Armed Forces.
Image of the reinforcement military deployment on the Swedish island of Gotland. Photo: Emy Åklundh /Försvarsmakten/Swedish Armed Forces.

Swedish officials view Russian activities in the Baltic Sea with concern, as tensions surrounding Ukraine continue to run high.

Sweden increased its presence in Gotland, its largest Baltic Sea island, a week ago. Officials said this was not a higher level of emergency, however, but a redistribution of resources on call.

The army published pictures of the troops and additional equipment on Thursday.

Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist also visited the soldiers in Gotland on Wednesday. He pointed out that the operation, a show of Swedish sovereignty, would not be completed within a week. "We must remain tenacious," he said.

Hultqvist has recently said that European security as a whole is "being challenged and threatened by Russia's unacceptable actions."

A few days ago, Russian landing ships were observed in the Baltic Sea. A total of six ships were seen in the area, more than usual, according to the TT news agency.

Finland

They have since left the Baltic Sea, but three were anchored in the Kattegat in the middle of the week during poor weather conditions.

Sweden, like neighbouring Finland, is not a NATO member, but both countries are close partners of the military alliance. In Finland, the question of NATO membership is regularly debated.

Meanwhile a large Russian cargo plane made a lengthy detour through Finnish airspace last weekend, according to the Finnish radio station Yle.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is set to meet Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on Monday.

Sweden increases presence on Gotland in view of Ukraine conflict