Swedish alarm after defence chiefs' war warning
A warning to Swedes to prepare for war from two top defence officials prompts accusations of alarmism.
Children's rights organisation Bris said that its national helpline did not usually receive calls about the possibility of war. But this week, it had seen an increase in worried calls from youngsters who had seen news reports or posts on TikTok talking about it.
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Two top Swedish officials have warned the country should brace for war as it prepares for the first stages of joining Nato.
During a security conference in western Sweden over the weekend, the country’s Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said action needed to be taken rapidly to mitigate against a looming threat from Russia, pointing to the developing situation in Ukraine as evidence that war could spread to other parts of Europe.
“Many have said it before me, but let me say it with the force of my office – there could be a war in Sweden,” he said, adding that awareness needed to be translated into practical action, such as investing more heavily on defence spending.
He added: “Such an effort can only be made quickly enough if the vast majority of people are aware of the situation and understand what is at stake.”
The immediate reaction to his comments was mixed, drawing criticism from former officials while military chiefs praised the call to arms.




