Massive security, cordons, protests and top international politicians. When NATO holds its first major ministerial meeting on Swedish soil, Helsingborg is expected to be transformed into a heavily guarded zone - while Swedish taxpayers foot the bill of SEK 85 million.
On 21-22 May, NATO foreign ministers will gather in Helsingborg for a summit that the government describes as strategically important for the alliance's continued rearmament. Participants include representatives from all 32 member states and, according to NATO's official list of participants, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to attend.
At the same time, both the Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard unsure whether Rubio will actually come when they spoke on Monday's press conference.
– Regarding attendance at the meeting, each country will be asked to account for its presence, Kristersson said, while Malmer Stenergard expressed ”high hopes for good support at foreign minister level”.
Massive renovation in focus
During the press conference, the government made it clear that Sweden will continue the strong military buildup and reach NATO's target of a total defense expenditure of 5% of GDP.
- We will reach the 5% target by 2030. That is our goal, Kristersson said, describing the development as historic, What we are doing is the biggest investment in military and civil defense since the Cold War.
The government also confirmed that the meeting in Helsingborg will focus on increased defense budgets, greater military production and continued support for Ukraine. At the same time, NATO is discussing how European member states should take over greater economic and military responsibility from the US.
Protests and lockdowns
At the same time, demonstrations against the summit are mobilized. Protest groups and organizations critical of NATO are planning demonstrations in Helsingborg in the days before and during the meeting. Criticism is directed both at Sweden's membership of NATO and at the fact that Swedish soil is now being used for a summit where continued rearmament and increased military support for Ukraine are at the center.
In previous calls, NATO has been described as a driving force behind increased military spending and reduced national self-determination. Protesters are also expected to criticize the fact that large sums of money are being spent on military rearmament at a time when the economy is squeezing many households.
Helsingborg will be transformed into a heavily guarded security area with extensive police operations, cordons and traffic disruptions. The meeting will also begin with a dinner at Sofiero Castle together with the NATO leadership, the King and Queen and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha.
SEK 85 million
The summit also comes at a high price. In response to a question from the media, the government stated that the event costs Swedish taxpayers SEK 85 million.
At the same time, there is growing criticism that NATO is now gathering on Swedish soil. Options for Sweden's party leaders Gustav Kasselstrand wrote on X before the meeting:
”Alternative for Sweden says no to NATO, yes to peace and freedom.”
For the first time, Sweden is being used to host a major NATO meeting where increased military spending, continued war support and deeper security cooperation are at the top of the agenda.
So the ancient Sofiero Castle will be defiled by these disgusting scum. And Ukraine's foreign minister will exchange the golden toilet for a trip to Sweden. If I had lived down in Skåne, I would have been with and protested against the shit
Pure idiocy to throw away 85 million on inviting the war alliance NATO's representatives but our war-mongering dwarfs are so eager to sacrifice Swedish personnel in NATO's war.
Sweden nowadays seems to have a central role in different specific contexts.
In the past, neutrality, peacekeeping and diplomacy were the watchwords.
Today, with the rabble in charge, war is the greatest aspiration of these little people.
The commandments: thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, etc. have long been the basis of our Christian values. Now it is the top layer, who call themselves elected representatives, who are the driving force in breaking such basic rules for humanity and community building.
On the contrary, they are preparing for a devastating war. It is not possible to say: ”Father, forgive them as they do not understand what they are doing”.