Sweden to Host NATO Exercise in Strong Message to Russia

Sweden, which along with Finland has applied to join NATO, will host the BALTOPS 22 exercise next month in a strong message to neighboring Russia.

With Stockholm's NATO application, Sweden ends decades of neutrality and joins NATO at a time when the alliance focused on supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia.

NATO will kick off the 51st iteration of its annual Baltic Operations exercise, which this year runs June 5-17 in the Baltic Sea, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.

"[The exercise] provides a unique training opportunity that strengthens combined response capability and is critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea region," Kirby said during a briefing today. "Participating nations will exercise a myriad of capabilities that demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces, including amphibious operations, gunnery, anti-submarine, air defense exercises, as well as mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations."

A total of 14 NATO nations, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States will participate, Kirby said.

Additionally, NATO partner nations Finland and Sweden will also participate this year, the Pentagon confirmed in a release today.

In total, Kirby said, about 45 maritime units, 75 aircraft and around 7,000 military personnel will participate in the exercise.

At the same time Sweden hosts this year's BALTOPS 22 exercise, Kirby said, it also recognizes the 500th anniversary of its own navy.

"We're grateful for their ability to lead and to host this year," Kirby said. "It's a big exercise, lots to get done, and I know they're looking forward to it."

As in previous iterations of BALTOPS, maritime and air forces will work together to exercise medical evacuation, joint personnel recovery, air defense, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures and amphibious operations, to strengthen the cohesion and capabilities of NATO allies and partners. This year's BALTOPS exercise is led by U.S. Sixth Fleet and will be executed by Striking Forces NATO.

Russia, Turkey react to NATO applications by Finland, Sweden

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called the countries’ decisions to join the NATO military alliance a “serious mistake.”

“This is another grave mistake with far-reaching consequences…It is a pity that common sense is being sacrificed for some phantom ideas about what should be done in the current situation…They (Finland and Sweden) should have no illusions that we will just put up with this,” Ryabkov said.

Another country that is bothered by the Nordic countries’ desire to join the NATO is Turkey, but for different reasons. Without the support of all NATO members, Sweden and Finland cannot join the military alliance.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he is angered by their willingness to host Kurdish militants. He described Sweden as a "hatchery" for terrorist organizations.

"Neither of these countries have a clear, open attitude towards terrorist organization. How can we trust them?" Erdogan said.

Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) are followers of Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara accuses of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt. Three years later, both Nordic nations slapped an arms embargo on Ankara after its incursion into Syria.