During the bilateral meeting, which took place in connection with the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Helsingborg, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Malmer Stenergard participated.
Before the meeting, Kristersson emphasized the importance of a “very orderly” process when Europe is expected to take on greater military responsibility in NATO. Malmer Stenergard said social media is not the best way to announce changes in American troop forces in Europe.
This follows the latest surprising announcement from Donald Trump on his platform Truth Social overnight – that the US will send 5,000 soldiers to Poland. Just a week ago, the Pentagon’s message was that 4,000 prepared soldiers would not be sent there.
“Not on social media”
After the meeting with Rubio, Stenergard said it is “still difficult to navigate.”
“My understanding of what we have agreed is that these changes need to happen in an orderly manner. When resources disappear, we need to be able to ensure that they are replaced by someone else in Europe. I am quite sure that this is the plan for a way forward,” she said, continuing:
“I hope we can work on how to arrange this in informal meetings, and not on social media.”
Important progress
Malmer Stenergard said that during the meeting she and Kristersson highlighted the countries’ “good cooperation” in defense and new technology, in addition to the most important issues in relation to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
She also referenced the declaration of intent signed between Sweden and the US on cooperation in areas such as technology and AI.
The Foreign Minister described today’s meeting with NATO foreign ministers as productive. She believes it is time to increase pressure on Russia.
“We have made important progress in key areas ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara in July, including in defense investments and support for Ukraine,” she said.
