As the continental plates of security policy move, it is important for Finland and Sweden to keep one, says Pål Jonson, chairman of the Swedish Parliament’s Defense Committee.
Stockholm
If From Pål Jonson Sweden and Finland should join NATO together, preferably as soon as possible.
Jonson is the chairman of the Swedish Parliament’s Defense Committee. In Sweden’s moderate coalition, he is responsible for statements on defense policy. Jonson, who has a PhD in London, has also worked for the Swedish National Defense Agency and served as Secretary General of the Swedish Atlantic Society.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused an unprecedented turmoil in security and defense policy not only in Finland but also in Sweden.
According to Jonson, a new era began on December 17th. At the time, Russia was demanding that the United States and NATO stop NATO from admitting new members.
“Russia’s demands meant in practice that Sweden should not join NATO and should no longer practice as before. The claims are not acceptable, but they will not go away. That is why the question of joining or not joining NATO is becoming increasingly important, ”says Jonson.
It’s Thursday afternoon At the Swedish Parliament. Jonson has chaired a meeting of the Defense Committee and attended a meeting of the Swedish Defense Preparations Group.
The previous day, four Russian planes violated Swedish airspace south of Gotland at the same time as Finland and Sweden practiced together On the island of Gotland.
“It is unacceptable and needs to be made clear to Russia,” Jonson says.
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“I want Sweden and Finland to have the same line.”
Jonson emphasizes that he is speaking in an interview as a representative of the moderate coalition and not as chairman of the Defense Committee. The moderate coalition is Sweden’s main opposition party. For example, it has a different attitude towards NATO than the ruling Social Democrats.
However, there will be elections in Sweden in the autumn, and the balance of power may change, even though support for the Social Democrats is high right now.
It may also be the case that the Social Democrats are changing their position on NATO quickly. Support for the military alliance is growing in both Finland and Sweden. In addition on Friday, the Swedish Democrats saidthat it may change its NATO position due to the security policy situation and the growing pro-NATO nature in Finland.
If the Swedish Democrats change their position on NATO, the Swedish parliament would have a pro-NATO majority without the Social Democrats.
On Friday NATO also saidthat it will further strengthen co-operation with Finland and Sweden. In the future, the countries will take part in NATO meetings on the war in Ukraine and receive information related to the war. In addition, Britain promised military support to Sweden if Sweden were attacked.
Rapid changes are now taking place in security policy, and Sweden is closely monitoring what Finland is doing.
Read more: The Swedish demars updated their NATO position on the party’s website
Read more: Sweden’s NATO position can change quickly, says the expert – But it requires a Finnish initiative
Prime minister Magdalena Andersson has spoken instead of joining NATO about strengthening Sweden’s own defense and a faster timetable for rebuilding the defense forces. However, Andersson has not yet specified how the defense would be strengthened.
According to Jonson and the moderate coalition, Sweden should first strengthen its defense forces and increase defense spending to 2 percent of GDP by 2025. Two percent is the level required for NATO membership. Christians, liberals and the Center Party also speak in favor of it.
“NATO membership also requires popular support and a parliamentary majority,” Jonson says.
And in addition, Finland is needed for that.
Sweden has significantly intensified its co-operation with Finland in recent years. According to the assessments of many experts, the countries are working to make a possible NATO decision together. So did Jonson.
“I want Sweden and Finland to have the same line. Therefore, Sweden should also have a NATO option. And NATO should go hand in hand. I quote [entistä pääministeriä] Göran Perssoniathat the decision must be made by hand. ”
Jonson also highlights the historical scar in relation to Finland and Sweden. In 1990, Sweden applied for membership of the European Community (EU) without officially notifying Finland.
“My strong belief is that nothing like that will ever be allowed to happen again. It is extremely important for us to keep Finland informed about our security policy choices. ”
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“Sending weapons to Ukraine was a good and necessary decision to enable Ukraine to defend itself against a completely unreasonable invasion.”
European the security situation is very serious, Jonson says.
Former Swedish Prime Minister, Coalition Party Carl Bildt wrote this week in The Washington Post that Europe is unlikely to be at peace if Putin remains in Russia ‘s leadership. According to Bildt, Finland and Sweden are in a new situation with the rest of Europe: Putin sees Finland and Sweden sending weapons to Ukraine now as part of the war.
How does Jonson assess Russia’s threat to Sweden?
“Sending weapons to Ukraine was a good and necessary decision to enable Ukraine to defend itself against a completely unreasonable invasion. The way Russia sees the decision is up to them to answer. ”
Trained as a military scientist, Pål Jonson has watched the Russian invasion with different eyes than many other MPs. He says as early as November, the signs were alarming as Russia concentrated its forces on the Ukrainian border.
There have been many problems with the attack on Russia, Jonson says. Russia has not achieved its military and political goals. He estimates that Russia will next move to a more traditional war.
“It means rocket art and tougher grips. Totally reprehensible. ”
At the same time, Jonson says that hope for the situation is created by the courage and fighting spirit of the Ukrainians. The unity of the West, sanctions and the closer relations between Finland and Sweden with NATO are also important to him.
Read more: Putin destroyed the European security system, says a Swedish expert
Sun drops and shines directly in from the windows of the Swedish Parliament. They offer views of Stockholm’s sea. Pål Jonson looks at his watch and realizes he should be on his way already. The flight to Helsinki is about to leave and Jonson has to hurry.
The purpose of the trip to Finland is to participate in a discussion event at the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Center Hanaholmen. It is about security policy and the war in Ukraine.
There is plenty to discuss.
Pål Jonson
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Born in the municipality of Arvika in central Sweden in May 1972.
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Chairman of the Swedish Parliament’s Defense Committee.
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Member of Parliament for the Moderate Coalition Party, Chairman of the Party’s Defense Policy. In the Parliament since 2016.
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A doctorate in military sciences from King’s College London, who has also studied in Washington and Brygge.
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Worked, among other things, at the Swedish National Defense Institute and as a visiting researcher at NATO Defense College in Rome.
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Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Military Sciences.
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