Veronika Wand-Danielsson, Swedish ambassador to Germany, centered her discussion around the fact that Russia's attempt to change borders by force in Ukraine represents an unacceptable threat to global stability and sets a dangerous precedent for international relations. As such, both NATO and Europe must resolutely condemn Russia's invasion and provide unwavering support for Ukraine to safeguard global security. In fact, Sweden's decision to officially join the alliance in March 2024 is a direct response to Russia's relentless attacks on Ukraine, which has fundamentally reshaped the European security landscape.

Ambassador Wand-Danielsson underscored that Sweden's NATO membership signals a dramatic departure from its historic policies of non-alignment, a stance it has maintained since the Napoleonic wars. Prior to Russia's aggression, only 29% of Swedes supported NATO membership. However, today that number has surged to around 75%, reflecting a paradigm shift in public opinion. The Ambassador attributed this shift to nationwide efforts to bolster civil resilience and raise awareness of the escalating Russian threat. Sweden's political landscape has also adjusted, with six of the eight major political parties now endorsing NATO membership.

The Ambassador further stressed the importance of the transatlantic alliance and the necessity for Europe to strengthen its defense industry while intensifying its ties with the United States. She suggested that under the changing administrations in the U.S., Europe could financially compensate its American allies for their support in Ukraine in order ensure its continued involvement in the cause. Simultaneously, the Ambassador outlined Sweden's commitment to increasing its defense spending on the back of the Russian threat, highlighting the nation's doubling of its military funding over the last five years.

Regarding the Baltic Sea region, Sweden and Finland's joint accession to NATO enhances the alliance's strategic position. The Ambassador noted that Sweden's geographic location is particularly vital for facilitating rapid reinforcement from North America to the Baltic states in the event of a crisis. Moreover, she highlighted that attention to the Baltic countries should extend beyond simply providing security measures, as neighboring nations can further collaborate on critical areas such as energy, cybersecurity, and regional stability, thereby strengthening NATO's collective resilience.

In conclusion, the Ambassador underscored that NATO must remain stronger and more unified than ever in the face of Russia's aggression. Sweden's membership not only deepens NATO's defense capabilities but also reinforces the principle of collective security as essential to maintaining global order.

hosted by Professor Michael Leigh


Veronika Wand-Danielsson has been Swedish Ambassador to Germany since September 2023 and Head of the Department for Europe and North America at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs since January 2023.

Prior to this, she held a number of notable professional positions: In 1990, she joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and assumed responsibility for Swedish international cooperation in the field of drug control and financial support for the UN Drug Control Program. In 1993, she was seconded from MFA to the European Commission in Brussels, where she was responsible for drug control cooperation with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Five years later, she was appointed Information and Communication Advisor to the Director General of DG Development. Between 2004 and 2007, she served as chief negotiator for the EU's financial perspective negotiations. From 2007 to 2014, Wand-Danielsson held the position of Ambassador and Head of Mission to NATO. She then represented Sweden as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France and Monaco from 2014 to 2020. In September 2020, Ambassador Veronika Wand-Danielsson was appointed Head of the Americas Department in the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was responsible for Sweden's relations with countries in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.