MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Sweden should work toward joining NATO in the light of the increased tensions with Russia, the head of the alliance’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (StratCom) said Thursday.
"It would be a wise thing to do in 2016 on the grounds that the only area where Russia is developing is in the military," StratCom chief Janis Sarts told SVT broadcaster about Sweden joining NATO.
Sweden, though not a member of NATO, is closely allied to the bloc and regularly takes part in its military exercises. The Scandinavian country and its neighbor Finland have in recent months increased military cooperation between the countries and with the bloc.
Relations between Moscow and NATO deteriorated amid a crisis in Ukraine. Since 2014, the alliance has been enhancing its military presence in Eastern European countries that border Russia and accusing Russia of meddling in Kiev's internal affairs.
Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations and has expressed concern over NATO reinforcement along the country's border. Moscow has stated that NATO’s military buildup and exercises in close proximity to Russia increases tensions, threatening regional and global security.
