NATO's foreign ministers are meeting in Belek in southern Turkey, but for obvious reasons, much focus is directed at the parallel talks expected to take place in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia.
It is absolutely clear that Ukraine wants peace. Ukraine is ready to talk in different constellations to make progress – but Russia continues to construct, says Malmer Stenergard to TT, SR Ekot and SVT on site in Belek.
It was they (Russia) who chose the time and place. Now it is up to them to prove that they actually also want the talks, says the Foreign Minister.
More Sanctions
More sanctions have been announced if Russia, for example, does not comply with the proposed 30-day ceasefire.
At the same time, the EU's latest sanctions package has been described as relatively weak, with mainly measures against more vessels in the "shadow fleet" used to circumvent earlier sanctions.
Malmer Stenergard still thinks the packages are important.
We see that the revenues are decreasing to Russia's war chest from just the shadow fleet and it is important. We can, however, do much more. We can lower the oil price cap and sanction significantly more. And we also want to see a total stop for LNG (liquid natural gas) imports to Europe, says the Foreign Minister.
Number Juggling?
The NATO meeting in Belek is a step on the way to the top meeting that the military alliance holds in The Hague at the end of June. Then, primarily decisions are expected on new targets for how much countries should spend on their defense, in percentage of GDP.
USA's President Donald Trump seems to get through his demand for 5 percent. Secretary-General Mark Rutte is said to propose that it should be done with 3.5 percent in "ordinary" defense costs plus another 1.5 percent for, for example, roads, bridges and hybrid protection.
A trick with numbers, one might think. But the Foreign Minister does not agree with that.
I would not at all call it number juggling. I take note that everyone now seems to be heading towards a much greater responsibility when it comes to our own security. We welcome that and we have also been driving for it. Then we are not finished yet, but I look forward to a clear message, says Malmer Stenergard.
