Sweden accepts 'essential role of nuclear weapons' in Nato letter
Sweden has accepted "the essential role of nuclear weapons" in Nato's approach to defence, in a letter requesting admission to the alliance, sparking controversy in the country.
Sweden's state broadcaster SVT on Monday evening published a full copy of the letter Ann Linde, Sweden's foreign minister, sent to Nato's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on July 5th, in which she formally confirmed her government's "interest in receiving an invitation for Sweden to accede to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949".
"Sweden accepts Nato's approach to security and defence, including the essential role of nuclear weapons," the letter, which can be read here in full, reads, adding that it "intends to participate fully in Nato's military structure and collective defence planning processes, and is willing to commit forces and capabilities for the full range of Nato missions."
The clause will alarm those who were already uncomfortable with how Nato membership will clash with Sweden's historical efforts to promote nuclear disarmament.
As recently as 2019, Sweden launched the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament, through which 16 non-nuclear nations sought, among other goals, to "diminish the role of nuclear weapons in security policies and doctrines".
Sweden also committed to contributing its share -- set at 1.9277% -- of Nato's budget, which is equivalent, William Alberque at the Institute for Strategic Studies, told SVT to about 700 million kronor (€65m).
"In other words, Sweden is now prepared to take part in the use of nuclear weapons," tweeted Beatrice Fihn, Executive Director of the International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.
”Sverige accepterar Natos inställning till säkerhet och försvar, vilket inkluderar den avgörande roll som kärnvapen spelar, (…) samt är berett att sätta in styrkor och förmågor för alla alliansens uppdrag.
Dvs Sverige är nu beredda att delta i användande av kärnvapen. https://t.co/8Dt4VRY8dC
— Beatrice Fihn (@BeaFihn) July 11, 2022
Comments (1)
See Also
Sweden's state broadcaster SVT on Monday evening published a full copy of the letter Ann Linde, Sweden's foreign minister, sent to Nato's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on July 5th, in which she formally confirmed her government's "interest in receiving an invitation for Sweden to accede to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949".
"Sweden accepts Nato's approach to security and defence, including the essential role of nuclear weapons," the letter, which can be read here in full, reads, adding that it "intends to participate fully in Nato's military structure and collective defence planning processes, and is willing to commit forces and capabilities for the full range of Nato missions."
The clause will alarm those who were already uncomfortable with how Nato membership will clash with Sweden's historical efforts to promote nuclear disarmament.
As recently as 2019, Sweden launched the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament, through which 16 non-nuclear nations sought, among other goals, to "diminish the role of nuclear weapons in security policies and doctrines".
Sweden also committed to contributing its share -- set at 1.9277% -- of Nato's budget, which is equivalent, William Alberque at the Institute for Strategic Studies, told SVT to about 700 million kronor (€65m).
"In other words, Sweden is now prepared to take part in the use of nuclear weapons," tweeted Beatrice Fihn, Executive Director of the International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.
”Sverige accepterar Natos inställning till säkerhet och försvar, vilket inkluderar den avgörande roll som kärnvapen spelar, (…) samt är berett att sätta in styrkor och förmågor för alla alliansens uppdrag.
— Beatrice Fihn (@BeaFihn) July 11, 2022
Dvs Sverige är nu beredda att delta i användande av kärnvapen. https://t.co/8Dt4VRY8dC
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.