What's happened
In response to escalating security threats, Sweden, Finland, and Norway have updated their crisis preparedness guides. These changes reflect concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other geopolitical tensions, urging citizens to stockpile supplies and prepare for potential military conflict.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Sweden's new emergency pamphlet reflects a serious tone regarding military threats, stating, 'the general perspective is that you cannot exclude the possibility of an armed attack.' The Independent highlights that the updated guide instructs citizens on how to respond to nuclear threats, emphasizing the need for preparedness. BBC News notes that the guides from Finland and Norway also stress self-sufficiency in crises, with Norway advising citizens to prepare for a week without external support. These sources collectively illustrate a regional shift towards heightened awareness and readiness in the face of evolving security challenges.
How we got here
The updates to crisis preparedness in the Nordic countries come after years of increasing tensions in Europe, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sweden and Finland's recent NATO memberships have further influenced their security strategies.
More on these topics
-
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
-
Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the west, Russia to the east, Norway to the north, and is defined by the Gulf of Bothnia to the west, and the Gulf of Finland of the
-
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
-
Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, Finland to the east, and is connected to Denmark in the southwest by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund Strait.
-
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe whose mainland territory comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula; Mainland Norway and the remote island of Jan Mayen as well as the archi