– For a long time, we had a discussion about joining NATO, but it was the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the deteriorating safety situation in Europe that pushed the scales," says Newseria Martin Quick, Swedish Ambassador to Poland.
The relations between Poland and Sweden in the field of defence were strengthened after the Swedes joined NATO, which was a consequence of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the Swedish Ambassador to Poland, both countries can accomplish even more in terms of, among another things, expanding the safety of the Baltic Sea and the full region. Sweden has worked closely with NATO since 1994 erstwhile it joined the Peace Partnership Programme (PfP). She besides became a associate of the Euroatlantic Partnership Council in 1997. The request to join the alliance was filed in May 2022 and became a full associate on 7 March 2024.
NATO membership opened a fresh chapter in Swedish relations with European countries
– This has increased our safety and besides strengthened NATO, as Sweden brings many capabilities to the alliance, including air, sea, land, as well as many another resources and a very strong defence industry," says Martin Quick. As he adds, NATO membership has opened a fresh chapter in Sweden's relations with European countries, including the countries of Central and east Europe. Within the framework of the Alliance for deterrence and defence of the Euro-Atlantic area Sweden, among another things, provides land-based units to the Extant NATO Land Forces in Latvia, warships to the Permanent Maritime Alliance Forces, or combat aircraft for airspace surveillance and consequence preparedness.
“Poland has besides begun to show greater interest in the northern part of Europe for many different reasons. Thanks to our membership in NATO, cooperation has become easier than before. We are very pleased with closer cooperation with Poland due to the fact that we request it in the Baltic Sea to make our common sea and neighbourhood safer and to strengthen cooperation within NATO in this part of Europe," says the Swedish Ambassador to Poland. – We have a very akin view of the threat from Russia and what should be done in the Baltic. Thanks to closer cooperation, we can besides accomplish much more.
The fresh safety architecture in the Baltic is based on the Polish-Swedish alliance
In September 2025 Poland and Sweden signed another agreement on defence cooperation. In November of the same year, the Polish government informed about the selection of Swedish submarine offer for the Polish Navy. On 12 March in Gdynia War Port, the national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met with the Swedish defence minister Pål Jonson. It was stressed that the fresh safety architecture in the Baltic is based on the Polish-Swedish alliance, i.e. building common capabilities, joint purchases and exercises. Among another things, joint investment in the arms manufacture was mentioned.
– What will be the key point of cooperation between Poland and Sweden? There are many different issues. We've had our exercises together before. Last year, for example, Gotland Sentry exercises were held, during which Polish and Swedish troops trained together on our Gotland island – Martin fast points out.
NATO Command Commander Task Force Baltic (CTF Baltic) is an global structure that coordinates the activities of maritime forces in the Baltic Sea.
Gotland Sentry (GOSE) is the first always bilateral SNEX exercise, carried out jointly by Poland and Sweden. The maneuvers were conducted in the strategical Baltic Sea region. In September 2025, more than 100 soldiers of the 6th Airborne Brigade landed on the Swedish island, practicing readiness for immediate defence and fast spread of troops. The conflict Module of the Marine Rocket Unit besides reached Gotland. As part of a drill utilizing NSM launchers, soldiers performed simulated rocket strikes on enemy ships moving across the Baltic. “As part of the CTF Baltic, we are cooperating on command and control structures in the Baltic Sea. We are besides cooperating in the fight against the shadow fleet, thus protecting critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea," Martin fast points out.
NATO Command Commander Task Force Baltic (CTF Baltic) is an global structure that coordinates the activities of the naval forces in the Baltic since October 2024. – There are many things we can do together in our neighbourhood to strengthen ourselves and to defend NATO together. There are many critical infrastructure elements in the Baltic Sea. We have energy resources, power lines, communication cables – many elements of the infrastructure on which we are all dependent – the Swedish Ambassador to Poland emphasizes.
