The Swedes are humble people. There is no need to brag because they already know that they are better than everyone else. Swedes have so much to be proud of— ABBA, IKEA, and 200 years of peace and neutrality. Ohh I forgot, the last part isn’t true anymore! After over 200 years of “neutrality”, Sweden finally joined NATO in March 2024. Swedish neutrality has always been a central part of the Swedish identity and a cornerstone of national security but if you take a closer look, something else appears. A myth about something that has never existed.
World War 2
At the onset of the Second World War, Sweden declared itself neutral in the conflict. But it did not stay neutral for long. One of Sweden’s most apparent violations of neutrality was the Swedish participation in the Winter War. During this brutal invasion of Finland by the Bolsheviks, the Swedish people and government felt sympathy towards our old Eastern half.
Therefore, Sweden declared itself as a non-combative party to the war.
During the war, Sweden sent everything it could spare and then some. Planes, ammunition, and artillery— nothing was off the table. Thousands of brave volunteers went over to fight the red hoards. Even if these actions were obviously morally correct, it can’t be said to be the actions of a neutral state.
This is far from Sweden’s only breach of neutrality during WW2. Another interesting example that could be mentioned is Operation Sepal, where Sweden actively supported Norwegian and US special forces operations in Northern Sweden. A further example is the so-called Norwegian and Danish “police troops”. Who in reality were soldiers that were trained by the Swedish government. These people were refugees who had fled from countries. They were later sent to Norway and Denmark after the German capitulation. The most famous example, however, is probably “the German trains”. During the war, Sweden allowed Germany to send military transport, with both supplies and soldiers through its borders by train. At the time, this was believed to be necessary to avoid an invasion. Unlike Sweden, both Norway and Denmark were occupied during the war.
The Cold War
During the Cold war, Sweden tried to maintain a delicate balance between the two spheres of influence. During the 50s and 60s, Sweden tried to develop its own nuclear weapons to use against a Soviet invasion. But this program was later scrapped after huge costs and guarantees from the US that Sweden would be included in the nuclear umbrella—. This was, of course, kept secret from the public during the time.
Swedish Defense Doctrine at the time heavily relied on fighting until outside help could arrive. Where this help would come from and who the real enemy was was clear for anyone with insight. The enemy was, of course, the brutal imperialist dictatorship in the East and the help would arrive from the US and UK. The cooperation, however, went far beyond just promises of help. Extensive plans on how NATO and Sweden would cooperate if the worst would happen existed. Radar and communications systems were secretly interconnected. Sweden made joint plans on how to close off the Baltic sea with mines and coastal artillery along with the Danish military. Even when the relationship between the US and Sweden was ice cold, such as when Olof Palme (the PM at the time) made a speech comparing the Vietnam War to Auschwitz and Treblinka, there existed a mutual understanding that Sweden could expect help if the worst were to come.
Modern times
During modern times— after The Cold War and the liberation of Eastern Europe— the cooperation between NATO and Sweden continued, but changed character. Sweden chose to join NATO´s partnership for peace in 1994. After the fall of the Soviet Union, there was a belief among many politicians that Russia could reform and become a functioning democracy. These notions would, of course later prove to be false.
During this pause in tension— or as the Swedish military called it, a “strategic timeout”— most of the Swedish defense (both military and civilian) was removed or sold off. The eternal peace had finally arrived; there was no need for a big military anymore. Swedish security was now going to focus on interventions and UN-missions in foreign countries instead. To be able to rely on continued US support, Swedish politicians sent troops to different missions in foreign countries.
Another change to the Swedish neutrality policy that went somewhat unnoticed was when Sweden chose to join the EU in 1995, after a referendum. By joining, Sweden agreed to far reaching policies of communal defense within the Union. The wording of these policies is not too different from the wording in the more famous article 5 in NATO. Article 42.7 of the treaty of the European Union says that its members have an obligation to help by all means within their power when attacked by another country.
The final part of this story is when Sweden joined NATO in 2024. After a long process that took several governments and many negotiations, Sweden is in. Hand in hand, Sweden joined together with Finland. But this, of course, is not the end of Swedish defense policy. There will still be a long process to fully integrate into the alliance and Sweden still has to rebuild its defense infrastructure, both civilian and military. Decades of underspending have left much room for improvement. One thing is sure, though. Swedish neutrality is officially DEAD.
By Samuel Lithner
October 29, 2024
