Northern Europe Office

Wieslander quoted in Reuters on NATO in the Arctic

By Anna Wieslander

“Sweden’s non-aligned status is increasingly blurred,” said Anna Wieslander, Northern Europe Director at the Atlantic Council think-tank. “If you look at it, we are preparing to meet the adversary together and I think there is no doubt in which camp we are,” she said. “You can see the warnings Russia has given so there is […]

Wieslander speaks about Gotland’s bolstered defences to Belgian VRT

By Anna Wieslander

Wieslander speaks with France 24 on shifting Swedish & Finnish public opinion towards NATO

By Anna Wieslander

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has succeeded in persuading many in Finland and Sweden that future NATO membership is in their national interest.

Wieslander quoted in Washington Post on Swedish NATO debate

By Anna Wieslander

“In Sweden, defense was a low priority before the Ukraine war. Now, it’s the number one issue. The question is, can you take out the insurance when the house is on fire? That is something NATO is also going to have to decide.”

Wieslander interviewed by Deutsche Welle on the politics of NATO in Sweden

By Anna Wieslander

“You have a pretty polarized situation among the parties. You would have the right-wing leaning parties who are pro-NATO, then Red-Green who are against joining; and then you have the right-wing extremist party, the Swedish Democrats, the third-biggest party who are also against,” said Wieslander.

Wieslander interviewed by Finnish STT on Nordic NATO debate

By Anna Wieslander

“If you compare the debate between Finland and Sweden, Finland is more actively discussing NATO. The [security] situation is closely monitored and decisions are made on the basis of that. In Sweden, we look back and think that the current policy has been stable and has served us well. Finland has a more flexible attitude,” […]

Wieslander interviewed by Times Radio on Putin’s goals in Ukraine

By Anna Wieslander

“This is a game he is playing on two levels. One is Ukraine and the attack and invasion we now see him pursuing. The other is the bigger game, which is a Europe that is rolled back to the Cold War and where Russia has clear spheres of influence and buffer zones, which include Eastern […]

Wieslander speaks to Marshall Center on “Sweden and Finland: Responses to the Russian Threat”

By Anna Wieslander

On the occasion of the Alumni in-residence-scholarship of Anna Wieslander, Director Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, the Marshall Center organized an online seminar to analyze Sweden’s and Finland’s responses to Russia’s threats and aggression. Russia’s military attack on Ukraine on the same day made the seminar particularly relevant and timely.

Wieslander interviewed by “Expressen” on US intelligence of planned Russian invasion

By Anna Wieslander

Anna Wieslander, Northern Europe director at the Atlantic Council, said warnings of a Russian invasion are probably part of a deliberate US strategy. “They have used intelligence data strategically and they have chosen to be very open with what they have in order show Russia, ‘we see what you’re doing.’ But also to disrupt any […]

Wieslander interviewed by Radio Sweden on the history of NATO-Russian Relations

By Anna Wieslander

Since the 1990’s, many have contemplated Russian NATO membership and an EU-led European security order. Russia’s admission into NATO’s Partnership for Peace in 1994 established many areas of Russian-NATO cooperation around the world. However, Putin’s rise to power and increased opposition to the US-led world order caused early optimism to deteriorate into full-blown confrontation.