When asked if Putin had “an eye on Gotland,” Biden responded:
“Yes, I'm sure he had his eyes on Gotland. Putin's goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea. He probably has his sights set on Öland as well.”
The interview took place on Tuesday. Later that day, Russian state-controlled media reported that the Russian government had plans to unilaterally redraw the borders in the Baltic Sea so that areas that had belonged to Finland and Lithuania would become Russia's. Thus, Biden had almost no such information when he spoke for RND.
Biden spoke before the news about Russian plans to redraw the maritime borders in the Gulf of Finland. A picture of the Aspo Island archipelago.
Biden stresses that the West must stand firm against Russia so that the Baltic Sea does not become “Putin's game plan” where NATO members live in fear.
“It is as important for Putin to govern the Baltic Sea as it is for us that it remains open and safe. If Russia succeeds in isolating the Baltic Sea from the rest of the world, it will have serious consequences for our lives – in Sweden and all the other Baltic states.”
Biden was also asked why Sweden was preparing Gotland so extensively.
“Whoever controls Jutland controls the Baltic Sea. There was a time when our military presence was reduced to just a volunteer Home Guard force on the island. Peaceful times are over.”
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