Europeans are to take a greater role in NATO's leadership functions. At the same time, US weapons, intelligence and logistics are to be supplemented to a greater extent by European ones, according to the American newspaper's sources.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) comments on what this means for Sweden:
"This means Sweden is involved in building strong European capabilities," he tells TT.
The largest upgrade of European defense capabilities since the days of the Cold War is now underway, he emphasizes.
"This is being done very explicitly because, in the long run, we cannot count on the United States to be responsible for the lion's share of Europe's defense."
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) confirms that this is about increased European responsibility.
"Adjusted burden sharing"
"It is a step in the work of ensuring adjusted burden-sharing within NATO," she writes in a comment to TT, adding that the allies have jointly agreed on the distribution.
Informal talks are underway and plans have become more concrete since Germany swung on the issue of how dependent European NATO countries should be on the United States. The German government is said to have changed its mind after US President Donald Trump threatened to take over Greenland, stop supporting Ukraine and leave NATO altogether.
It is described as a broader consensus that has emerged after Germany's shift, including the Nordic countries.
"We are taking preventive measures and holding informal talks with groups of like-minded allies, and will help fill gaps within NATO when necessary," Sweden's Ambassador to Germany Veronika Wand-Danielsson told the WSJ.
When Ulf Kristersson is asked what gaps there might be, he points to the Baltic Sea, where Swedish, Finnish, Baltic and Polish capabilities are crucial.
"If you're going to look at a geographic spot, it's the Baltic Sea."
General conscription
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and several leaders openly emphasize that the European commitment needs to be much greater. There is also talk that more countries need to reintroduce universal conscription, which is highlighted by, among others, the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb.
Two major potential obstacles to a more European NATO are noted: first, that the United States has exclusive rights to the position of supreme operational commander in Europe; and second, that the European nuclear powers are currently not considered able to establish an equally comprehensive "umbrella" for deterrence.
