Sweden does not consider the current threat from Russia to be temporary. The country’s military intelligence warns that Moscow could remain dangerous to its neighbors even after Vladimir Putin.
Володимир Путін / © Associated Press
The Russian regime is likely to remain a threat to neighboring countries even after the end of Vladimir Putin’s rule.
This was stated by the head of Swedish military intelligence, Thomas Nilsson, Bloomberg reports.
According to him, Stockholm does not view the current crisis as temporary, as Russia has chosen a path of long-term confrontation.
“We do not see this crisis as temporary; Russia has chosen its path, and there is no turning back,” Nilsson said.
He added that this is a deep, structural, and prolonged strategic confrontation that cannot be simply ignored.
These statements indicate a tough assessment of future relations with Russia from Sweden, which has become one of the newest members of NATO after the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine began.
Nilsson also stated that the Russian economy continues to face difficulties, and the Russian authorities are manipulating statistics to hide the consequences of the war on economic growth and inflation.
At the same time, according to the Swedish intelligence assessment, there are currently no signs that the stability of the Russian regime is directly threatened.
“The political opposition has been effectively destroyed – through exile, imprisonment, or, in the worst cases, murder,” he noted.
According to Nilsson, Russia lacks a political force capable of transforming public discontent into a real alternative to power.
He also emphasized that a part of the Russian population maintains support, not necessarily for the war itself, but for the idea of Russia as a “great power.” This is why Sweden does not expect rapid and radical changes.
Separately, Nilsson commented on reports of increased Russian military presence near NATO’s eastern border. According to him, Russia plans to create larger military structures – from northern Finland and further south.
At the same time, he clarified that for now, these are mainly plans, as Moscow continues to focus its main resources on the war against Ukraine.
“In our assessment, as soon as Russia regains the necessary resources and capabilities, it will try to implement these plans,” said the head of Swedish military intelligence.
As a reminder, Russia is preparing hybrid attacks on NATO’s eastern flank due to Putin’s isolation. This is reported by Latvian intelligence. In particular, Moscow is considering the possibility of military provocations against the Baltic states or Poland.
Comments Sort: New Old Popular Send