In her first major public engagement as NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Šekerinska praised Sweden for its increased defence spending, leading defence industry and strong support to Ukraine. Speaking at the annual Folk och Försvar conference in Sälen on Monday (13 January 2025), the Deputy Secretary General also highlighted the changed security landscape following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"We know what NATO must do now, but we also know what NATO must do in the years ahead," she said. "The security situation around us and globally, is bleak. The world is more volatile and dangerous. There is again, war in Europe, and authoritarian powers are on march." Allies need to put their "foot to the floor, ramp up defence production, increase and accelerate defence spending so that we can continue to ensure that our people are safe," she said.
Ms Šekerinska spoke of the ongoing campaign of hostile actions against NATO Allies, including cyber-attacks, sabotage and disinformation. "NATO is taking swift action, building on our existing work to enhance the security of undersea cables and pipelines and also to monitor potential threats," she said. On Tuesday, several leaders of the Baltic Sea NATO Allies will meet in Helsinki and decide on further steps, including NATO's strengthened military presence in the Baltics.
Allies must also step up their support to Ukraine, the Deputy Secretary General said, adding that Sweden is "an outstanding supporter of Ukraine, providing billions of euros in military assistance," this includes the "tanks, armoured vehicles, missiles and artillery you have given that are helping Ukraine fight for its freedom."
During her visit to Sälen, Deputy Secretary General Šekerinska met with Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister of Defence, Mr Pål Jonson, and Minister of Civil Defence, Mr Carl-Oskar Bohlin.
