OREANDA-NEWS. Sweden has no plans to join the North Atlantic Alliance, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said while presenting the new government's policy.

“Not participating in military alliances serves our country well and contributes to stability and security in Northern Europe. Sweden will not apply for NATO membership. Sweden will not take a passive position if another Scandinavian country or EU member state suffers from a natural disaster or attack and we expect these countries to act in the same way if Sweden is involved, "Andersson said in a statement posted on the government's website.

The Prime Minister also said that Sweden will strengthen its defense cooperation with Finland and other Nordic neighbors within the EU, with the United States of America and in partnership with NATO.

Five regiments and an Air Force wing in Falun, Sollefteå / Östersund, Arvidsjaur, Kristinehamn, Gothenburg and Uppsala are being rebuilt, she said. Andersson said an updated national security strategy for Sweden is also being developed.

The Russian Federation appreciates the position of military non-alignment of Finland and Sweden, they understand the advantages of this position, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.

"We very much appreciate the position of military non-alignment of both Finland and Sweden. I think that they obviously understand all the advantages of such a position. This is really so, because this status has guaranteed the security and stability of these countries for many decades," the Deputy Foreign Minister said RF during a discussion at the Valdai Club.

At the same time, he added that Russia is worried about "the European Union projects, which NATO wants to subordinate to the interests of NATO." "There is de facto drawing these countries into certain training and other actions of the alliance, we see that the territory and air spaces of these countries are used more and more often for military exercises," explained Grushko.