The Scandinavian country is not a member of NATO, but it may be willing to sacrifice its neutrality in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Jamming, a Twitter user, broke the news of Stockholm’s plan to deploy a flight. They penned: “The Swedish Air Force Korpen is flying over Poland’s border with Belarus.
“Sweden is a part of the monitoring of Belarus and Ukraine!!!
“This is a significant political statement! SwAF Korpen has been updated.”
The Gulfstream IV jet was seen taking off from Linking airport and travelling towards the western Belarus city of Grodno.
It was travelling at a speed of 836 kilometres per hour at an altitude of slightly under 12,000 metres.
Despite the fact that Sweden is not a member of NATO, it is a “increased opportunity partner” of the military alliance.
In 2018, the administration also signed a declaration vowing to boost defence cooperation.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson earlier this month rejected opposition parties’ requests for the nation to join NATO.
She contended that such an action would further destabilise Europe.
Her remarks were in response to Moscow’s concerns that Sweden’s participation in NATO would have “severe military-political ramifications.”
However, popular support among Swedes for their country’s membership in the transatlantic military alliance is expanding.
A poll conducted in late February by broadcaster SVT found that 41 percent of the public supported NATO membership, while thirty-five percent were against.
BREAKING: Swedish Air Force Korpen active over Poland border area with Belarus. pic.twitter.com/zkccLxcCNv
— Jamming (@balticjam) March 26, 2022
It was the first time in Swedish history that an opinion poll indicated more people in favour of the country joining NATO than opposed it.
Similarly, popular sentiments regarding NATO appear to be shifting in Finland, which shares the military alliance’s position.
According to a poll conducted by national broadcaster YLE in early March, 53 percent of Finns now support full membership in NATO.
Only 28% of those polled were opposed to the notion, preferring to maintain the country’s long-cherished neutrality.
Sweden and Finland have likewise abandoned previous practises of avoiding supplying weapons to warring countries.
