Sweden Aims to Reactivate Civil Conscription

[Paul20]

Sweden Aims to Reactivate Civil Conscription to Boost Defense

By

Niclas Rolander

January 9, 2023 at 9:45 PM GMT+13

 

Sweden’s government is taking steps to reactivate civil conscription in the latest move to shore up its defense capabilities in the wake of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-09/sweden-aims-to-reactivate-civil-conscription-to-boost-defense

[Ishaya]

Why is Sweden afraid of Russia,is it not in NATO too like Ukraine?

[Parale]

51 minutes ago, Ishaya said:

Why is Sweden afraid of Russia,is it not in NATO too like Ukraine?

 

No, Sweden is not currently part of NATO.

 

Though I do understand that as off 5 July 2022 Sweden has the status of "applicant country (invitee)", which involves gradual integration into NATO structures.

• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/nato_countries.htm

• https://www.government.se/government-policy/sweden-and-nato/

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden–NATO_relations

[Parale]

1 hour ago, Ishaya said:

in NATO too like Ukraine?

 

Ukraine is not currently part of NATO.

 

Though I do understand that Ukraine is a NATO partner country, which means that it cooperates closely with NATO but it is not covered by the security guarantee in the Alliance’s founding treaty.

• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_192648.htm

• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/nato_countries.htm

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine–NATO_relations

 

 

 

For reference, NATO cooperates with a range of international organisations and countries in different structures, as listed below

• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/51288.htm

 

Edited January 12, 2023 by Parale

[Shawnster]

2 hours ago, Ishaya said:

Why is Sweden afraid of Russia,is it not in NATO too like Ukraine?

It was feared Ukraine would join NATO, even though they promised not to. This was one of the reasons why Russia invaded.  Russia did not want a NATO member country to border Russia. 

 

As for joining Nato, even before the invasion Ukraine reportedly agreed a provisional deal with Russia to stay out of the Western defensive alliance. Russia does not want its neighbour to join Nato, as it fears this would encroach too closely on its territory.

 

 

Now the same situation presents itself with Sweden.  The concern is Russia might invade Sweden if Russia believes Sweden wants to join NATO. 

 

 

[Parale]

17 minutes ago, Shawnster said:

Russia did not want a NATO member country to border Russia.

 

That's true, though I don't think Sweden actually borders with Russia? Sweden's land borders are with Norway and Finland?

 

Whereas Norway, Estonia, and Latvia - who are already members of NATO - do have land borders with Russia? 🤷‍♂️

 

• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/nato_countries.htm

 

Edited January 12, 2023 by Parale

[Shawnster]

4 hours ago, Parale said:

Whereas Norway, Estonia, and Latvia - who are already members of NATO - do have land borders with Russia? 🤷‍♂️

Timing of when these countries became NATO members is a factor.  

 

 

[Parale]

17 minutes ago, Shawnster said:

Timing of when these countries became NATO members is a factor.  

 

True, Norway was a founding Member of NATO. Estonia and Latvia joined in 2004, so 19 years ago.

• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52044.htm

Edited January 12, 2023 by Parale