Sweden summons Russian envoy over ‘retaliation’ remark

By JAN M. OLSEN
Associated Press

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Sweden’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Russia’s ambassador after Moscow’s diplomatic mission in Stockholm said the Scandinavian country would become a “legitimate target for Russia’s retaliatory measures” if it joined NATO. Foreign Minister Tobias Billström on Wednesday called the statement posted on the Russian Embassy’s website an ”obvious attempt at influence.” It’s unclear if or when the Russian ambassador will appear at the Foreign Ministry. Sweden and neighboring Finland jointly applied for NATO membership in May 2022, abandoning decades of non-alignment in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Approval of Sweden’s bid has stalled due to opposition from Turkey and Hungary.