Sweden eyes sending troops to Eastern Europe after joining NATO

Sweden, in the event of joining NATO, intends to send its troops to Eastern Europe so that they join the NATO Response Force, Minister of Defense Pål Jonson said in an interview with the Yomiuri newspaper, reported from TASS.

He noted that NATO membership is a top priority for the new government, which was formed after parliamentary elections in September. 

He also noted that NATO’s collective defense, which counters an attack on member countries, is absolutely necessary as a deterrent. In this regard, Sweden, in case of joining NATO, intends to send its military to Eastern Europe so that they become part of the NATO Response Force.

In this way Sweden wants to contribute to the strengthening of the alliance, he added.

Speaking about the increase in defense spending, Jonson noted that Sweden plans to achieve the NATO goal of bringing defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2026 - two years ahead of schedule. Now this figure in the country is about 1.3% of GDP.

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