After joining NATO, Sweden will send 800 troops to Latvia to the border with Russia
After joining NATO, Sweden intends to send about 800 troops to Latvia, to the territory near the border with Russia, reports newspaper Dagens Nyheter. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson informed about the decision.
The task is to protect the border of Latvia within the framework of the allied combat duty group, which “will deter Russia from attack.” Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds called this great news. “NATO's presence in Latvia is crucial for our security. “NATO forces provide active deterrence and send a message that every inch of allied territory must be protected,” he said.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Army, Jonny Lindfors, explained that the soldiers will leave for Latvia at the beginning of 2025. In addition to the military, Sweden will also send armored vehicles – armored personnel carriers, combat vehicles and, possibly, Leopard tanks.
The Swedish unit will become part of NATO's Forward Deployment Group in Latvia (EFP). Under it, various NATO countries station troops in the bloc's eastern countries for short periods of time. The EFP forces in Latvia are now led by Canada and number more than 2,000 soldiers.
It was previously reported that relations between Turkey and the United States have reached a dead end due to the process of Sweden's accession to NATO.
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