Russia slams Sweden's planned NATO base on Gotland as a 'provocation'
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Russia is currently monitoring the developments and assessing potential dangers as a result of Sweden's possible NATO base establishment on the Gotland Island.
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Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom with other NATO leaders at a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of NATO at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP)
Sweden's plans to create a NATO base on the island of Gotland are provocative, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik.
In a statement, the Ministry said, “The Russian side has repeatedly warned about the risks arising in connection with the military development by the alliance of the territories of the new member countries in the north of Europe. NATO is seeking to increase its military potential in the Baltic. In this context, Stockholm intends to strengthen the 'strategically important' island of Gotland in order to improve defense against the imaginary 'Russian threat'."
It recalled that Sweden restored its military presence on Gotland in the Baltic Sea - Sweden's largest island - back in 2015, and before joining NATO, Swedish troops conducted practices of an armed attack during military exercises on the island.
Russia continued to say that "the previously peaceful waters of the Baltic Sea are turning into an arena of geopolitical confrontation," and "as a result... new threats are created to the safety of navigation and economic activity in the region."
It said Russia is carefully monitoring the developments and assessing potential risks.
Read more: Germany warns of Russian 'attack' on NATO within ‘5-8 years’
“To stop threats in the northern direction, the Leningrad Military District has been re-established... Further decisions to ensure Russia’s security will be made depending on the development of the situation,” the Ministry added.
The Russian mission stated last month that Sweden's accession to NATO would adversely impact the stability level in Northern Europe. The statement affirmed that despite assertions from Sweden's future "NATO relatives", the Baltic Sea will never be deemed an "internal NATO sea."
In recent years, Russia has observed unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders, prompting repeated expressions of concern from Moscow about the alliance's force buildup in Europe. The Russian Foreign Ministry has emphasized its willingness to engage in dialogue with NATO on equal terms while urging the West to refrain from further "militarizing the continent."
Just two weeks ago, Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom stated in an interview for Turkish media that it rejects and ruled out the stationing of NATO bases in the country, which comes controversial to this update.
