Swedes Drill With NATO, Despite 'No Immediate Threat' From Russia

Russia does not pose a military threat to Sweden, but nevertheless, Stockholm fears the worst, prompting it to take part in NATO drills, according to Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist.

Sweden's choice to participate in NATO's Baltops maritime exercises is attributable to the country's fear of the so-called Russian military threat. Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist is among those who believe this "threat" does not exist, according to the newspaper Expressen.

Expressen specifically noted that the drills are being held in response to "the alleged Russian aggression."

The official goal of the exercise is to coordinate the activity of large multinational military units, which together can provide for the stability and security of the regions around the Baltic Sea.  There is no doubt as to who plays the role of the main enemy, according to Expressen.

In this photo taken Sunday, June 5, 2016 security personnel of the US Navy guard USS Carter Hall keep watch during the multinational Baltops naval exercise on the Baltic Sea

© AP Photo / Jari Tanner

"In light of the current military-political reality, the Baltops drills send a certain political signal. There is no immediate military threat to Sweden. This does not mean that such crises will not occur in the future, but right now I don't see threats of this kind," Hultqvist said.

In this vein, Expressen columnist Carl Berqvist predicted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is almost sure to respond in kind to the Baltops drills in order to show his people that he isn't content to sit on his hands.

And another NATO drills: #BALTOPS 2016. June 3-18 map/schedule https://t.co/4Hymij3TjO pic.twitter.com/a3Lco7k5AK via @USNavyEurope

— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) 5 июня 2016 г.

According to Bergqvist, there are several possible scenarios: he could check the combat readiness of the west of Russia, conduct missile exercises, and/or mark the boundaries of the Baltic using the Russian Aerospace Forces and navy.

"Lastly – [this is exactly] what is expected from the Russian participants of the exercise, so it is likely that [NATO's] expectations are [incorrect], and Russia would instead take something unexpected and in another region," concludes the Swedish journalist.

Approximately 6,100 troops from 17 countries along with 45 submarines and warships, including the USS Mount Whitney, and over 60 aircraft are taking part in the Baltops 2016 drills which have been held for more than four decades.

Participating nations comprise NATO members Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the UK and the US, as well as the bloc's two partner countries, Finland and Sweden.