Sweden is ready to lead NATO ground forces in neighbouring Finland to enhance its deterrence capabilities, the two newest members of the military alliance announced on Monday.
The two Nordic countries abandoned decades of military non-alignment to join NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Finland joined the Alliance in 2023 and Sweden followed in April this year.
In July, NATO declared that strengthening the military presence on its eastern flank, particularly in Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia, was necessary.
This move requires the deployment of “combat-ready” ground forces, according to NATO’s definition, and necessitates a “framework country” to implement it, noted Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen at a press briefing with his Swedish counterpart Pål Jonson.
Helsinki has asked Sweden to assume this role, the two ministers announced.
However, the process is still at an “early stage,” warned the Swedish minister, with further consultations planned with the Swedish parliament.
No decision has yet been made on the number and exact location of the troops, Mr Häkkänen said. That will be decided with other NATO Member States.
NATO's “enhanced presence” on its eastern flank currently includes “eight multinational battlegroups” in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
In Finland, this will ensure “robust deterrence and defence,” Häkkänen said.
