Vladimir Putin is closely monitoring Gotland, a strategically located Swedish island in the Baltic Sea, warned Sweden’s top military commander on Wednesday.
General Micael Bydén, Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, told the German portal RND that one of Putin’s objectives is to gain control over the Baltic Sea.
He said: “If Putin were to march onto Gotland, he could threaten Alliance countries from the sea. That would mean the end of peace and stability in the Nordic and Scandinavian regions.”
He added that “whoever controls Gotland controls the Baltic.”
Bydén said that the growing Russian threat is why Sweden has increased its military presence on the island.
In addition to Gotland, Bydén believes Putin also has his eyes on the Åland Islands, which belong to Finland.
“The times of peace are over. The war in Ukraine has changed the political situation in Europe,” he said, adding that Sweden “is capable of using the island [Gotland- TVP World] for offensive operations if necessary,” and can contribute to the security of other NATO countries.
“For Putin, the Baltic Sea is as important as it is for us to keep it open and safe. If Russia were to take control and block it, it would have a huge impact on life in Sweden and all other Baltic states,” Bydén continued.
He added: “We must not allow the Baltic Sea to become Putin’s playground.”
He also identified the Russian shadow fleet as a security threat, referring to often rundown ships that enable Russia to export oil products despite sanctions, transferring oil off the coast of Gotland among other places.
These “very old, rusty” vessels primarily pose an environmental threat; “Russia could cause an ecological disaster right at our doorstep and disguise it as an accident,” Bydén warned. “There is no better way for Russia to sneak up on us than to mask its presence as an old tanker. Russia can also use these ships for eavesdropping on our communications, covert transportation, or underwater sabotage,” the general said.
He said: “If Putin were to march onto Gotland, he could threaten Alliance countries from the sea. That would mean the end of peace and stability in the Nordic and Scandinavian regions.”
He added that “whoever controls Gotland controls the Baltic.”
Bydén said that the growing Russian threat is why Sweden has increased its military presence on the island.
In addition to Gotland, Bydén believes Putin also has his eyes on the Åland Islands, which belong to Finland.
“The times of peace are over. The war in Ukraine has changed the political situation in Europe,” he said, adding that Sweden “is capable of using the island [Gotland- TVP World] for offensive operations if necessary,” and can contribute to the security of other NATO countries.
“For Putin, the Baltic Sea is as important as it is for us to keep it open and safe. If Russia were to take control and block it, it would have a huge impact on life in Sweden and all other Baltic states,” Bydén continued.
He added: “We must not allow the Baltic Sea to become Putin’s playground.”
He also identified the Russian shadow fleet as a security threat, referring to often rundown ships that enable Russia to export oil products despite sanctions, transferring oil off the coast of Gotland among other places.
These “very old, rusty” vessels primarily pose an environmental threat; “Russia could cause an ecological disaster right at our doorstep and disguise it as an accident,” Bydén warned. “There is no better way for Russia to sneak up on us than to mask its presence as an old tanker. Russia can also use these ships for eavesdropping on our communications, covert transportation, or underwater sabotage,” the general said.
Source: PAP, TVP World
More In Politics MORE...
