Swedish authorities on Wednesday summoned Russia’s ambassador to the country, Viktor Tatarintsev, to protest a series of comments in which he claimed that Swedish territory would become a »legitimate target» of retaliatory measures taken by Moscow in the event of its eventual accession to NATO.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom has indicated that this is a »clear attempt to exert influence» and insisted that »Sweden’s security policy is determined by Sweden itself and no one else».
The ambassador previously noted that Sweden is »approaching the abyss» as it moves toward membership in the Atlantic Alliance. If NATO attacks Russia, Sweden will be the target of the counterattack,» he warned at the time, according to reports in the daily Dagens Nyheter.
In addition, Tatarintsev criticized the fact that the Swedish government does not plan to submit the decision to a referendum and said that »many citizens have condemned the idea» in letters sent precisely to the Embassy.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
