Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven flatly rejected the information that the decision to deploy troops on the Swedish Baltic Sea island Gotland was dictated by the immediate threat from Russia. Deployment of troops took place last week. The statement issued by the Prime Minister was the response to media reports. On Monday, the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter (DN) reported that Sweden is aware of an increasing threat from Russia. “I’ve said it before and it remains unchanged: there is no direct military threat to Sweden,” told Löfven.

The newspaper reported that the Swedish secret service received "top secret" information about the increased military risk from Russia. That was the reason for the rapid restoration of the permanent presence of Swedish troops on the island of Gotland.

150 soldiers of rapid reaction forces were deployed on the island. It happened on September 14, which is a year earlier than assumed strategic plans. In recent times, they were also carried out inspections in military units, which have demonstrated the degree of readiness of the armed forces. However, politicians flatly rejected the threat information. It is emphasized that the reason for increased vigilance forces the international situation and the still unsolved problem of migration.

In March last year, Sweden began to increase defence spending. Stefan Löfven emphasized then that the situation in the country and on the continent is dangerous, as Russia dramatically increased its military potential. In June, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Sweden Michael Bydén and Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist alerted about the deteriorating security situation in the country.

Russian politicians point out that Sweden defines herself as a neutral country, but its actions demonstrate a completely different situation. In the last year, the Swedish government has strengthened cooperation with NATO. This enables the deployment of NATO forces on the territory of Sweden.

In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threatened to Sweden, that if this come to the NATO Russia in response to take the necessary military means. In addition, the Minister stressed that it was Sweden is responsible for the deterioration of relations between the countries. This state of affairs is to be called the Swedish government's decision to join the sanctions imposed by the EU after Russia's annexation of the Crimea.


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