NATO, EU have long conflict with Russia ahead, Swedish foreign minister says

NATO and EU states must prepare for a long-term conflict with Russia, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said, Report informs via TASS.

"We must understand that we have a long conflict with Russia ahead of us. This involves NATO and the EU. We must prepare to it accordingly," he said in an interview for Deutsche Welle [deemed foreign agent in Russia]. According to the foreign minister, this primarily concerns Baltic states and Poland.

Billstom noted that Sweden plans to send a part of a mechanized battalion to Latvia, and will reinforce its naval forces near the island of Gotland and the Baltic Sea. He added that Sweden already patrols the airspace in this region and uses its submarines for similar purposes.