Scholars
Publications
In The News
Events
Research
Explore SAIS
Scholars
In The News
Events
Research
Explore SAIS

The B.I.P.R. site uses cookies and similar technologies.
By clicking the "Accept" button, or continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, including our cookie policy.

Accept
Refuse


BIPR | Beyond NATO Expansion: Ensuring Security in the Baltic Sea Region
Beyond NATO Expansion: Ensuring Security in the Baltic Sea Region

November 25, 2024 - 18:30

Veronika Wand-Danielsson, Swedish Ambassador to Germany

Event Recap

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.



Beyond NATO Expansion: Ensuring Security in the Baltic Sea Region

hosted by Professor Michael Leigh

Veronika Wand-Danielsson
Swedish Ambassador to Germany

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.
Upcoming Events
Robert A. Mundell Global Risk Memorial Lecture - Five Principles for a New Economic Consensus
Mar 10
Andrés Velasco
Former Finance Minister of Chile; Dean of the School of Public Policy, the London School of Economics and Political Science
The Future of Ukraine and the Future of NATO
Mar 17
Lawrence Freedman
King's College London
The Human Trafficking Initiative Series – Challenges Posed by Mercenaries in Contemporary Armed Conflicts
Mar 31
Sorcha MacLeod
University of Copenhagen; Former Member of the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries
War in the Middle East and the Transatlantic Relationship
Apr 28
Josep Borrell
Former High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, and Former President of the European Parliament



Recent Events
Paradigm Lost. The New Global Geoeconomics
Mar 06
Ángel Ubide
Citadel LLC
UN, Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean: A Life in Politics & Diplomacy
Mar 03
Andreas D. Mavroyiannis
Ambassador (ad. hon.), Member of the UN International Law Commission, Republic of Cyprus
Is there a Russian Way in War?
Feb 27
Andrew Monaghan
Royal United Services Institute, London; Kennan Institute, Wilson Center; NATO Defence College, Rome
SAIS Europe 70th Anniversary Keynote Lecture - Europe's Challenges in a New Transatlantic Era
Feb 24
Paolo Gentiloni
Former European Commissioner for Economy and Former Italian Prime Minister
The European Union and the Global South
Feb 17
Myriam Ferran
Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission



About BIPR
SAIS Europe Integration Fund
Research Affiliation
Follow BIPR


© BIPR, all rights reserved - Bologna Institute for Policy Research - via Andreatta 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy