Russian invasion The world's response

Speakers from Europe gather for Ukraine meeting in Stockholm

A major summit within the framework of the so-called "Crimean Platform" is taking place in Stockholm on Monday, reports TT.

Speakers from almost all of Europe are participating in the meeting, including Ukraine's Ruslan Stefanchuk. The "Crimean Platform" aims to highlight the consequences of Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and increase pressure on Russia.

Issues of sanctions, human rights, security and the economic and environmental consequences will also be discussed, according to a press release from the Riksdag.

A joint final document will be adopted at the end of the meeting. 

The Swedish Armed Forces want to buy missiles that can reach Russia

The Swedish Armed Forces want to buy long-range weapons that can reach Russia, reports SVT and TT. These are missiles with a range of up to 2000 kilometers.

Chief of the Defence Staff Carl-Johan Edström tells SVT that this type of weapon would need to be used if Russia attacks NATO and Article 5 is triggered.

Spy satellites and more air defence are identified as other important defence investments in a report in which the Armed Forces list what the increased defence budget should be used for in order to meet NATO's requirements and meet the increasing threat from Russia.

- We need a strong air and missile defence that defends us in several different layers, Edström tells TT.

According to the assessment, the Russian military threat will increase by 2030.

- This could mean everything from increasing the number of ground troops on the Russian-Baltic border, to stronger long-range capability and strengthening the Russian fleet in the Arctic Ocean, Edström tells SVT.

ÖB: Polarization is like a candy store for Putin

Russia is combining attacks on infrastructure with disinformation campaigns to break down cohesion in the Western world. This is what Sweden's ÖB Michael Claesson tells the Financial Times.

- The fact that there is political polarization in many countries is of course a candy store that a hybrid warrior can exploit, he tells the newspaper.

He also urges Western countries to be more vigilant about Russia's activities in North Africa. Claesson says in the interview that Russia controls travel routes for migrants as well as drug smuggling and other criminal activities.

"Putin must be forced to the negotiating table"

"It is clear that Putin must be forced to the negotiating table," writes Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) in a statement after a conversation with EU heads of state and government.

Kristersson writes that the EU and US sanctions are having an effect, but that they must be tightened.

“The next step we need to take is to seize the frozen Russian assets held in bank accounts in European countries. The money will be used to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and to pay for the damage Russia has caused Ukraine.”