Sweden in NATO

The last time the Kingdom of Sweden was at war was in 1814. Since then, the country that hosts the Nobel Prize has adopted a policy of neutrality for over two centuries, refusing to take sides in wars or join military alliances of any kind. Through this policy, Sweden has lived in peace and become a welfare state and a major humanitarian power. But on March 7, 2024, two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sweden officially joined NATO. By joining this U.S.-led military alliance, the country put an end to its policy of non-alignment. The inhabitants of Gotland, the kingdom's largest island, live some 330 kilometers from Kaliningrad, where part of the Russian fleet is stationed. On the island, opinions and feelings on this historic accession are mixed.

" What do you think of Sweden joining the North Atlantic Alliance NATO? "

Carl Wachtmeister, 59 years, in Visby since 2000, works in various fields, depending on the season, in construction, agriculture, and as a taxi-bicycle driver. He learned French in high school and spent some time in France, in Paris and Angoulême. Visby, Gotland, March 12, 2024.

"I have complicated feelings, like all Swedes. We already have cooperation with NATO, and that's enough. We don't need to increase [armaments] any further. I don't think Putin has any desire to come here. For the moment, I'm not worried, but for the future, I don't know."
Carl Wachtmeister, Visby, Gotland, 12 mars 2024.

"The increase of militarism is not a good thing in general. In the past, we haven't been totally neutral. We let the Nazis through from Germany to Norway in the Second World War. Neutrality [of Sweden] wasn't 100% in the second world war, but at least we avoided getting ourselves into the war. We have to do the same now ".

Eva Lilia, 58, born in Gotland, has been working in the leather and sheep's wool crafts since 1988. She left the island in 1997 and returned in 2009. Eva is the owner of the Ödins Garveri boutique in Visby. March 12, 2024, Visby, Gotland.

"It doesn't matter whether we're neutral or not. What's sad is that there's still a terrible war going on in Ukraine, Palestine, and other countries around the world." Eva Lilia, March 12, 2024, Visby, Gotland.

"I feel positive and satisfied that Sweden is a member of NATO to guarantee the country's security. It's a good thing for our children and the next generation, who will also be safe." 
Nabil, a 41-year-old Swedish tailor of Syrian origin, has been living in Gotland with his family for 6 years. Before that, he lived in Lebanon for approximately 23 years. Now he works in Eva Ödins Garveri's store. Visby, Gotland March 12, 2024

"Well, I think it is safer to be a member in NATO because there is a (jerk) in Russia [Putin] so I think it is good. It is better to be inside NATO now as other neighboring Baltic countries like Norway and Finland, So, why should not we? "

"As you know, Gotland is a strategically important island in the middle of the Baltic Sea. I think NATO membership is good, especially if other countries, like Russia, want to intervene here."

Alexandra, 44 years, in Gotland since 2016, a Swedish woman of Swiss origin, works at the tourist office. Visby, Gotland, March 12, 2024

Goner Johansson, 68, retired musician, has been living in Gotland since 1987. March 7, 2024, Visby, Gotland

Kerstin Bendelin, 67 years, owner of the Jordnäraest boutique, was born on Gotland. Her designs and sample collection are made on the island, and most of her collections are produced from Swedish organic cotton. Visby, Gotland, March 12, 2024

"I think it is better to work for peace than to work for defense and war." Kerstin Bendelin

Kerstin Bendelin

Marianne Gardiel, 68, retired social worker, and Jalle Gardiel, 68, retired dairy manager, both born in Gotland. March 10, 2024, Visby, Gotland

"In the Second World War, Sweden was been neutral, but we were coward.
[In June 1940] Sweden signed a transit agreement with Germany allowing goods and troops to transit Sweden on their way from Norway to Finland and that was not good. Now it is a crazy world with Trump and Putin, the war is around us. With Putin our democracy is under threat. I feel a little scared. And I hope it will be a positive thing that Sweden, a small country with small budget, is part of NATO so we can be protected by our allies. We have been allies with NATO countries for many years." Jalle Gardiel

Marianne Gardiel and Jalle Gardiel, March 10, 2024, Visby, Gotland

Marianne Gardiel

Carl Lochen, 40 years, Swedish fireman in Visby, living in Gotland since 2017, March 12, 2024, Visby, Gotland. 

 

"I honestly do not know, very mixed feelings, it is like very rushed decision based on fear but also I understand why people are scared as war close to home as have not been since a long time.
My personal opinion it is a rushed decision and it goes against the value and policy that Sweden has before. You do not make rushed decision about such things. We live in a global world It makes me really sad that more money is invested in war and I do not blame anyone it is very sad yes." Carl Lochen 

Carl Lochen, 40 years, Swedish fireman in Visby, living in Gotland since 2017, March 12, 2024, Visby, Gotland.

 Thomas, retired swimming trainer, born in Gotland, 76 years, Visby, March 12, 2024 

"Gotland is very beautiful but we have low salaries and are poor so it is not attractive for other countries to get Gotland. In addition after its war in Ukraine, I do not think that Russia has enough weapons to go to other places." Thomas, retired swimming trainer, born in Gotland, 76 years, Visby, March 12, 2024

"It is bad for Gotland, I’m a pacifist, and I do not like weapons and war. And I Think joining NATO will bring more war. "

Lasse, 66 years, in Gotland since 45 years, retired driver, Visby, Gotland, 8 March 2024

"In the past, I was opposed to NATO, but today I'm forced to accept it. It is a new situation for us."

Allan Rasmussen, 73, construction worker, born in Gotland. Visby, March 9, 2024

"In the past, I was opposed to NATO, but today I'm forced to accept it. It is a new situation for us." Allan Rasmussen

Emelie, 58, peace and non-violent communication consultant. Visby, Gotland, March 10, 2024

"I’m disappointed and a bit sad because I would like to see more interest for peace than for fear of war in the Island. I think the more we arm ourselves the more threat we become. The fear is behind all of this and you cannot cure fear by being fearful but being interested by what is behind fear." Emelie

"The more we focus on the war, we get more worried, and the more worried we are the more we need to protect ourselves in a military way. But I think that is never the answer. The fear is behind all of this and you cannot cure fear by being fearful but being interested by what is behind fear." Emelie

Andrea, 21 years, student of cultural heritage at Uppsala University in Visby. Gotland, 8 mars 2024

"I think it is just sad that the state of the world is so occupied and focused on with the war instead of fighting global warming and poverty and much more important questions than waging wars." Andrea

Elizabeth, On the right, a 76-year-old retired Swedish journalist. Visby, March 10, 2024

"It is a mixed feelings actually, my biggest fear is ex-US president Trump coming again into power and mounting down the whole NATO. Otherwise it is sense of false security being a member of NATO but, at the same time, it is some kind of hope that we are part of something bigger than ourselves." Elizabeth 

Frida Grahn, 28 years, works at a school in Gotland as a teaching assistant for children aged 7. Gotland, Visby, March 10, 2024 

Gotland, Visby, March 10, 2024

" Joining NATO is a step towards supporting wars in a way … even though of course it is important to defend oneself and support other countries that need to defend themselves, but still I think that the best thing is that if we could just find other ways to end wars than join forces and add more weapons and violence into the equation " Frida 

Beatrice Tornell, 49 years, in Gotland since eleven years, nurse, who now works 

in a church in the center of Visby as a social worker. March 12, 2024

" The world is gathering more weapons and arms and I think we should do the opposite by trying to go the other way, communication and the diplomacy. I was always against the army, I do not like it and I do not want to be part of it. I believe in approaching the world in the other way, with openness and peace " Beatrice Tornell

Visby, Gotland, March 11, 2024

Visby, Gotland, March 10, 2024

Sweden in NATO

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