After the USA yesterday, Wednesday, expressed its support for a Swedish NATO membership, NATO Director General Jens Stoltenberg is now commenting on how Sweden's security would be secured during the time a possible application is processed.
- There are different ways to do it.
But I am convinced that we will find solutions for the security needs Sweden will have in a transition period from the time Sweden applies until it becomes a member, says Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with SVT's European correspondent David Boati.
Increased military presence in the Baltic Sea
He emphasizes that any decisions on initiatives would be made in consultation with Sweden.
But that one scenario could be an increased military presence in and around the Baltic Sea.
- We must remember that the moment Sweden is possibly looking for, and NATO says that they want Sweden to join, there is a very strong obligation from NATO to be able to guarantee Sweden's security.
We have different ways of marking it, among other things through increased presence of NATO and NATO forces in the area around Sweden and the Baltic Sea, says Stoltenberg.
"We want a quick conclusion"
Jens Stoltenberg emphasizes that the decision on a membership application lies with Sweden.
At the same time, he makes it clear that one would be handled urgently despite protests from Russia.
- We want a quick conclusion to the process itself.
It would be a strong indication of a political desire to take Sweden's security needs very seriously, he says, adding that it is up to each NATO country to decide for itself whether they want nuclear weapons in their country.
At the same time, Stoltenberg emphasizes that NATO does not intend to enter the conflict and therefore does not send ground or airborne NATO forces to Ukraine.
On the other hand, the marking that has been made with an increased military presence in the Baltics, Poland, Romania and the Eastern Alliance remains.
"It is to make it very clear to Putin about NATO's desire to protect a NATO country," he said.