China's increasingly open support for Russia is causing upset within NATO. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson shares this view, stating that some sanctions are not currently being considered – at least not yet, according to the Prime Minister.
For the first time, China was mentioned in connection with a final declaration following a NATO meeting. The background is links to Russia in connection with the war against Ukraine, and is described as a reason for "deep concern".
There is no doubt that there is increasingly open support from China to Russia against Ukraine, and it is a deep provocation. It is clear that it must have consequences. That is the concrete reason, says Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) at a press conference in Washington.
The Prime Minister also mentions, among other things, the military exercise that China and Belarus have conducted near the border with Poland.
It cannot be perceived in any other way than that China wants to show that there is a circle of countries that are like-minded and a counterpoint to what we stand for.
When asked about potential sanctions against China, Kristersson responds:
I don't know if we're there yet. I think there is an increased awareness that China is now acting directly opposite to what the entire EU stands for in relation to Ukraine. Sanctions are complicated things, but we are approaching a situation where the EU should act more forcefully against China.
For Sweden's part, the meeting in Washington has been the first as a member of the defense alliance. From this, they also take the message that Sweden will host NATO's foreign ministers' meeting in the spring of 2026.
We don't know the date or location, it's a discussion with NATO about what works best, but it was fun that they bit on our willingness to host, says Ulf Kristersson.
