The Army Chief of Sweden cautions about Russia’s power ambitions in the Baltic Sea.

The commander-in-chief of the Swedish armed forces, Micael Biden, has raised concern about Russia’s ambitions for power in the Baltic Sea. He believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has his sights set on controlling the region, including the strategic island of Gotland. Biden emphasized that if Russia were to gain control and seal off the Baltic Sea, it would have far-reaching consequences for Sweden and other Baltic Sea states. He stressed that it is crucial to prevent the Baltic Sea from becoming Putin’s playground used to intimidate NATO members.

Biden highlighted the importance of Gotland as a strategic location from which Sweden could assist other NATO states in the Baltic Sea. If Russia were to invade Gotland, it could pose a direct threat to NATO countries in the region, jeopardizing peace and stability in the Nordic and Baltic regions. In addition, Biden expressed concerns about the threat posed by old Russian oil tankers in the Baltic Sea, warning of the potential for an environmental disaster that could be disguised as an accident. He stressed that Russian oil tankers are a real danger to the environment in Europe and could be used by Russia for military purposes, such as eavesdropping on communications or carrying out sabotage. Biden emphasized the need to address these threats in order to maintain security and stability in the region.