The commander-in-chief of the Swedish armed forces, Micael Biden, has warned of Russia’s ambitions for power in the Baltic Sea. “I am sure that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin even has both eyes on Gotland. “Putin’s goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea,” the army chief told the newspapers of the Germany editorial network (RND, Wednesday editions).
“If Russia takes control and seals off the Baltic Sea, it would have an enormous impact on our lives – in Sweden and all other Baltic Sea states. We can’t let that happen,” Biden said. “The Baltic Sea must not become Putin’s playground where he terrifies NATO members.”
From Gotland, Sweden could help other NATO states on the Baltic Sea to live in safety. “But if Putin invades Gotland, he can threaten the NATO countries from the sea. “That would be the end of peace and stability in the Nordic and Baltic regions,” Biden said.
He also warned of a serious disaster caused by old Russian oil tankers in the Baltic Sea. “Russia could cause an environmental disaster right on our doorstep and make it look like an accident. The consequences for the environment would be devastating,” Biden told the RND newspapers. The Russian oil tankers are a “real danger to the environment in Europe”.
Russia could also use these ships in other ways to wage war against NATO, Biden said. “There is no better way for Russia to sneak up on us than by disguising itself as an old oil tanker. They can use the ships to eavesdrop on our communications, secretly transport anything, or use them for underwater sabotage.”