"Increased risks": Russia is a military threat for Sweden - intelligence

and at the same time increased the risks to Sweden's safety," - quoted journalists Khallin. The Swedish Intelligence Head suggests that Russia's armed forces will be strengthened in the immediate vicinity of Sweden. Similarly, the Russian Federation will show its reaction to the desire of Sweden and Finland to join NATO. Khallin believes that the Kremlin seeks to avoid direct armed clash with the North Atlantic Alliance.

According to her, a high level of tension increases the likelihood of such a conflict. "However, there is considerable uncertainty, which is mainly related to the readiness of the Russian leadership to go to high risk," the Swedish Intelligence Head added. On July 5, 2022, Sweden Foreign Minister Anne Linde, together with Finnish colleague Pekka Haavisto, signed reports on NATO accession.

The process of accession to the Alliance was delayed, in particular because of the burning of the Qur'an on January 21 before the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm. This incident has caused dissatisfaction in Turkey, which, along with other Bloc countries, should approve Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO. In this regard, on January 25, Caavisto suggested a break in Finland and Sweden negotiations with Turkey regarding their possible accession to the organization.

The minister noted that the conclusions should not be drawn "after the current situation. " On January 15, the NATO Secretary General at a briefing called on Turkey to ratify the documents on Sweden and Finland to NATO, noting that both countries fulfilled all their obligations to join the Alliance in October last year.

Focus also wrote that on January 27, the founder of the far -right party Stram Kurs ("Hard Course") Rasmus Paudan, who previously burned the Koran near the Turkey Embassy in Stockholm, repeated his action in Copenhagen. The activist stated that the Qur'an would burn in the same place on Friday, "until Sweden is accepted to NATO.