DISINFO: Sweden supports NATO in hope of exercising hegemony over the lands of "Greater Scandinavia"

DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS

DISINFO: Sweden supports NATO in hope of exercising hegemony over the lands of "Greater Scandinavia"

SUMMARY

Sweden is striving to support NATO’s anti-Russian “containment” policy in Northern Europe despite not being a formal member of the bloc, hoping that it’ll be rewarded with American approval for its own “sphere of influence” over the lands of “Greater Scandinavia” in which its “deep state” believes that they have the historical right to exercise a form of hegemony. Truth be told, they’ll likely succeed for the most part since the smaller surrounding countries (especially the Baltics) have jumped on the anti-Russian bandwagon and are eager to receive as much military support from America’s new de facto Swedish ally as possible. They seem to hope that submitting themselves to this emerging regional order will work out to their national benefit in some way or another, perhaps economically through a “deluge” of Swedish investments after having accepted that their countries are unable to survive as truly independent states. If this growing “sphere of influence” remained economic and cultural, then it wouldn’t be a threat to Russia, but the problem is its dark military dimension.

RESPONSE

A narrative, in line with the trope of "encircling Russia", suggesting imperialist ambitions among Russia's neighbours. Similar claims can be found on Poland and Lithuania.

Sweden is not pursuing imperialist ambitions and strives towards dialogue and cooperation with its neighbours and calling for a rule based order in international relations. More details on Sweden's foreign and security policy here.

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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