Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Russia has become “more desperate” in recent weeks and is stepping up hostile activity toward NATO, warning that European unity will be critical to deterring further aggression.
Speaking to Euronews’ Europe Today program, Malmer Stenergard pointed to a reported increase in hybrid-war activity across Europe, including the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport in Germany earlier this month.
“We see a more desperate Russia,” she said.
“Russia is losing territory, losing influence, losing men, and now they are obviously more desperate, testing us and testing our unity,” she told Euronews correspondent Shona Murray.
The Swedish minister said NATO had responded in a united manner to a series of recent incidents.
“We have seen a lot of incidents lately and we have seen united response from NATO,” she said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to formally accuse the Kremlin of responsibility for the Leipzig drone incident and pledge an appropriate response, according to the report.
Such an accusation would mark the first time a European country has formally accused Russia of such aggression, potentially raising tensions between Moscow and European governments.
EU ministers to discuss European and transatlantic security
Malmer Stenergard spoke ahead of a gathering of EU defense and foreign affairs ministers in Ireland this week. EU foreign ministers are also due to meet in Wicklow on Wednesday for the informal Gymnich session, with their Ukrainian, British and Canadian counterparts expected to join them.
European and transatlantic security is expected to be high on the agenda as governments assess the broader security challenge posed by Russia.
Meanwhile, Sweden is calling on the European Commission to revisit proposals to use frozen Russian state assets to help fund Ukraine. Most of the frozen assets are held at Euroclear, a Belgian financial infrastructure provider.
The leaders of Sweden, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands want the issue reopened and have pledged to address concerns raised by Belgium.
The Belgian government has been the strongest opponent of the measure, arguing late last year that using the assets would expose its financial sector to excessive risk.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has insisted on unlimited guarantees in return for his government’s approval.
“We cannot stay in the same position as we were before Christmas,” Malmer Stenergard said.
“We have to move on because this is what is fair to Ukraine, it’s what is fair to the taxpayers,” she said.
“We have to find a way to make sure that Belgium feels comfortable with this,” she added.
Photo: Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard
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