Northern Europe Office

Wieslander interviewed by Svenska Dagbladet

Wieslander explains that she worked on NATO standardization in the 1990s at the Swedish Ministry of Defence. There she was responsible for the work on the partnership that Sweden entered into with the alliance. “Nevertheless, for various reasons, the countries have chosen to make national solutions and variants of a lot of different things, and […]

Wieslander interviewed by Finnish YLE

“If Turkey had not given Sweden the green light, the Vilnius meeting could not have been considered a success. The negotiations between Sweden and Turkey were difficult and required diplomatic efforts. Ulf Kristersson’s government worked hard on them, alongside the allies and also Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg,” Wieslander told Finnish news outlet YLE.

Wieslander interviewed on Radio Sweden

Studio Ett The NATO summit in Vilnius is coming to an end. What promises will Ukrainian President Zelenskyy take home with him? Sveriges Radio speaks to Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe. “Stoltenberg said that there is a new chapter between NATO and Ukraine. Is it that new?” “‘No, you can understand the Ukrainian disappointment. […]

Wieslander interviewed on SVT Aktuellt

On Tuesday, July 11, Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe, participated in SVT Aktuellt, to discuss Turkey’s statement about letting Sweden into NATO. “NATO membership requires a change in strategic culture for Sweden. On the military side, it is about going from planning everything nationally to entering a collective system. In addition, it is about […]

Wieslander interviewed in Aftonbladet

Sweden’s role in NATO’s new defense plan “‘Sweden is not part of the plans now. But when we become members, new demands will be placed on the Swedish Armed Forces. (…) Sweden should provide a brigade for NATO operations outside of Sweden, that is the stated expectation’, says Anna Wieslander, Director of Northern Europe.” “‘Another […]

Wieslander interviewed by BBC News from Vilnius

Wieslander interviewed on Radio Sweden

Podcast Gräns When Turkey makes demands and delays Sweden’s membership, there is a risk that NATO appears weak and that the principle of open doors is challenged. Sveriges Radio speaks to Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council. “The process has taken longer than I expected”, she says.

Wieslander quoted in Financial Times

Sweden poised to strengthen Nato’s northern defences Membership of alliance marks historic shift for non-aligned country, precipitated by Russia’s war against Ukraine. Swedish membership will help Nato bolster its defence of the entire Nordic and Baltic regions and reinforce its presence in the Arctic. Its forces, logistics, airspace and maritime areas can now be fully […]

Wieslander quoted in TIME

Why Sweden’s Path to NATO Membership Has Been So Rocky “Why is Sweden not already a NATO member?” “‘Sweden had to withdraw from Northern Europe’s power politics around 1809. We got a new French king, Bernadotte, and we withdrew because we were too weakened,’ Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, tells […]

Wieslander interviewed on Expressen TV

Anna Wieslander is at the NATO summit in Vilnius, where Turkey yesterday night said yes to Sweden joining Nato. Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe states: “Turkey’s EU demands were introduced in the last minute.” “It was about bringing everything to an end”, she says.