On Tuesday, the Swedish parliament voted by a large majority for a controversial defense agreement with the USA. After a five-hour debate in the Stockholm Riksdag, 266 MPs voted for the agreement and 37 against it. Critics fear that it could lead to the stationing of nuclear weapons in Sweden and permanent US military bases in the country.
The agreement, signed by Stockholm and Washington in December, grants the United States access to 17 military bases and training areas in Sweden and allows the storage of weapons, military equipment and ammunition.
Traditionally non-aligned, Sweden has only recently become a NATO member. It applied for membership together with Finland in May 2022, almost three months after the Russian attack on Ukraine. While Finland joined in April 2023, Sweden’s admission was delayed until March of this year due to resistance from Turkey and Hungary.
The fact that Russia is increasing its unspoken pressure on Sweden can be seen in another decision from diplomatic circles. After a suspected violation of Swedish airspace by a Russian military aircraft, Sweden summoned the Russian ambassador.
The Foreign Ministry in Stockholm announced on Tuesday that the incident was about “the Russian violation of Swedish airspace on Friday, June 14.” According to Swedish sources, the Russian SU-24 bomber flew over the Baltic island of Gotland, which lies about 350 kilometers from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
The Swedish Air Force Command warned the Russian aircraft about the overflight, the Swedish army said. However, the aircraft did not deviate from its route, so it was expelled from Swedish airspace by two JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets. Russia has not yet commented on the allegations.
Gotland is of strategic importance to the Swedish military for controlling the sea and airspace in the Baltic Sea.
