The Secretary General of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonatan Vseviov, was on a working visit to Stockholm today, 1 June, where he met with the Secretary General of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Dag Hartelius. He also held meetings with the Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, General Michael Claesson, National Security Adviser Niclas Kvarnström, the Director of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), Jakob Hallgren, and other officials.
The discussions focused on the international security situation, including security in the Baltic Sea region and Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Secretary-General Vseviov emphasized that Estonia and Sweden share a common understanding of the region’s security environment. Russia remains the most direct and long‑term threat to the security of the Euro‑Atlantic area. Therefore, joint efforts must continue to strengthen regional defence capabilities, provide comprehensive support to Ukraine, and increase pressure on Russia to end its aggression.
According to Vseviov, Estonia, Sweden, and the other Nordic‑Baltic (NB8) countries agree that Ukraine must receive continued and stronger support. The European Union must move forward quickly with Ukraine’s accession negotiations. It is also important to increase pressure on Russia, including by adopting a strong 21st EU sanctions package to raise the cost of aggression.
The meetings also focused on deepening defence cooperation, including maritime security in the Baltic Sea regioon, and the importance of transatlantic relations. Secretary-General Vseviov stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between Estonia, Sweden, and the NB8 in countering Russia’s shadow fleet, hybrid threats, sabotage, and other risks that affect the security of all Europe.