“Sweden has rapidly increased its investments in defense and sees its new membership in NATO as a reason to increase the pace, not slow down,” writes Hegseth on X.
In a video clip on the platform, Hegseth states that he "appreciates Sweden's increased leadership in defense and security issues."
Sweden's support is crucial for Europe to be able to take primary responsibility for its conventional defense, he says.
Pål Jonson published a post on X this weekend stating that he had met with Hegseth to discuss, among other things, cooperation within NATO and weapons production.
