“‘You could say that there are two completely different fears about Russia. The French and continental fear is that Russia will come out of this too badly. French President Macron has said that Russia must be defeated but not crushed,'” says Anna Wieslander.
“‘The second fear is the opposite. In the Baltics and Eastern Europe, they say the biggest danger is that Ukraine will lose. This will create an appetite for more wars of aggression in Russia. They fear that next time it could be their turn,’ she says.”
Further reading
Wed, Apr 26, 2023
A glimpse of Sweden in NATO: Gotland could be a game-changer for Baltic defense
New Atlanticist By
Sweden's largest military exercise in twenty-five years highlights the strategically important island of Gotland in defending NATO allies.
Tue, Feb 7, 2023
What would happen if Sweden and Finland split up their NATO bids?
New Atlanticist By
Finland proceeding without Sweden should be a last resort because of all the strategic and logistical difficulties it would create.
Fri, Jan 6, 2023
How allied Sweden and Finland can secure Northern Europe
Issue Brief By
NATO is approaching its ninth round of enlargement. The accession of Sweden and Finland—two solid democracies and defenders of the international-rules based order—into the Alliance will strengthen the core of the transatlantic community.