Nicosia: Sweden’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Martin Hagström, has highlighted Sweden’s intensified efforts to enhance crisis preparedness among its citizens while reiterating the country’s unwavering support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ambassador Hagström detailed that the distribution of the latest edition of Sweden’s crisis preparedness brochure, ‘In Case of Crisis or War,’ commenced on November 18 to 5.2 million Swedish households. This initiative marks the fifth iteration of the document, maintaining a tradition that began during the Second World War when it was included in telephone directories.
The Ambassador explained that the update, in progress since March, was necessitated by the deteriorating security situation since the last version was published in 2018, notably following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The brochure aims to boost the resilience and preparedness of the Swedish population in scenarios of war or other crises.
Moreover,
the brochure emphasizes the individual responsibility of Swedes during a crisis, urging citizens to ensure self-sufficiency for at least one week, particularly concerning essentials such as food and water.
Ambassador Hagström also addressed the war in Ukraine, affirming Sweden’s dedication to supporting Ukraine through military, humanitarian, and civil aid. He noted that since February 2022, Sweden has contributed approximately £5 billion to various initiatives supporting Ukraine, with military support given without territorial restrictions.
Regarding recent disruptions to undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea, including the link between Lithuania and Sweden, Ambassador Hagström chose not to comment on specifics due to an ongoing police investigation. However, he underscored the critical importance of securing undersea infrastructure as a priority for Sweden and its regional and international partners.
He stated that the protection and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure are vital priorit
ies, addressed both nationally and within the frameworks of the EU and NATO. Sweden’s accession to NATO in March, abandoning its long-standing neutrality, underscored a strategic shift in response to Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine.