Sweden’s Defense Minister Pal Jonson has urged European nations within NATO to mentally and militarily prepare for a potential war with Russia. Speaking to RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), Jonson emphasized the need for a collective shift in mindset, warning that peace can only be preserved through readiness.
To preserve peace, we must prepare ourselves both mentally and militarily for the possibility of war. A change in mentality is necessary. We must switch to war mode to resolutely deter, defend, and preserve the peace.
Pal Johnson
Jonson’s remarks align with the European Union’s ongoing militarization efforts. Brussels has been promoting a narrative that portrays Russia as an imminent threat, a claim Moscow has dismissed as a political tactic to divert attention from Europe’s internal issues.
The European Commission recently released a roadmap to increase joint arms procurement to at least 40% by 2027, under the slogan “invest more, invest together, and invest European.” The move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities amid shifting global alliances.
The call for increased defense spending echoes demands from US President Donald Trump, who has pressured European NATO members to purchase more American weapons, including arms destined for Ukraine. Jonson defended these purchases, noting that Europe currently lacks the production capacity to meet urgent defense needs.
Ukraine needs these assets fast, If Europe lacks them, it’s logical to procure them from the US.
President Donald J. Trump
Sweden, NATO’s newest member, continues to play a growing role in regional defense planning. Meanwhile, Moscowregards the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a NATO proxy war designed to weaken Russian security after decades of alliance expansion.
Ukraine has been promised eventual NATO membership, a move that Russia has repeatedly cited as a direct threat to its national interests.