The predecessor Viktor Tatarintsev pointed out Sweden as a legitimate military target and was called up to the Foreign Ministry several times. The successor Sergej Beljajev is somewhat more diplomatic when he visits Sveriges Radio.
If Nato sees Russia as its main threat and a potential enemy, then our military must view Nato and its member states in the same way, he says about the relationship between the countries.
When asked if he sees Sweden as a friend or enemy, he answers that he wants to see Sweden as a "partner", but also adds:
Right now it's very difficult to see Sweden as a friend. The relationship between us is at a very low level. There is no political dialogue and the economic cooperation is almost zero.
When Beljajev is confronted with accusations of Russian war crimes in Ukraine – the massacre in Butja, the bombing of civilians in Mariupol and the abduction of Ukrainian children – he calls these "fairy tales".
War and military operations are always cruel things, for both sides, he says.
