"Russia's harsh response - after Hultqvist's message"
Swedish troops can train in Ukraine in the future, according to Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist.
Now the Russian embassy is responding - with a reference to the battle of Poltava in 1709. expressen.se/nyheter/ryssla… 1/
Swedish troops can train in Ukraine in the future, according to Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist.
Now the Russian embassy is responding - with a reference to the battle of Poltava in 1709. expressen.se/nyheter/ryssla… 1/
"Poltava's descendants, however, do not seem to have learned proper lessons from past battles with Russia, which has already overthrown Sweden from its great power heights," the embassy wrote on Facebook. 2/
On Tuesday, Hultqvist told Swedish Radio Ekot that Sweden may participate in military exercises in Ukraine, which is in conflict with Russia.
The Baltic countries proposed the exercise, after reports came in that Russia had equipped itself at the border with Ukraine. 3/
The Baltic countries proposed the exercise, after reports came in that Russia had equipped itself at the border with Ukraine. 3/
Now the Russian embassy is attacking the proposal - with references to Charles XII's war against Russia in the 18th century. 4/
"We would like to remind Mr. Hultqvist that he is not the first military leader in Sweden who is trying to intimidate Russia with the power of his heroic army by planning to send his military to Ukraine," the embassy wrote on Facebook. 5/
At the Battle of Poltava in 1709 in present-day Ukraine, the Swedish king's war fortunes turned and he was forced to retreat, which was seen as the end of the Swedish great power era.
"Modern Stockholm seems to be biting the same thumb at any time," the embassy writes. 6/
"Modern Stockholm seems to be biting the same thumb at any time," the embassy writes. 6/
They want Hultqvist instead of dialogue with his Russian counterpart to "restore relaxation, trust and cooperation in the Baltic Sea region". End/
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