MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. Russia is disappointed that political, trade, economic and cultural relations have been suspended with Sweden, President Vladimir Putin said at a ceremony ushering in newly appointed ambassadors of foreign countries.
"It is regrettable to state that in relations with our Baltic neighbor, the Kingdom of Sweden, there are no political contacts whatsoever, while trade and economic interaction, cultural and humanitarian ties have been curtailed," Putin said.
The president also noted that it is up to each state to determine how to ensure its own security, emphasizing, however, that "Stockholm's rejection of the policy of non-participation in military blocs, which it has pursued for 200 years, cannot but invite questions." "This policy - and this is obvious to everyone - yielded undeniable dividends for Sweden and played an important role in shaping the general atmosphere of security and stability in Northern Europe," Putin said.
According to him, the current situation in bilateral relations between Moscow and Stockholm does not meet the true interests of either country, the region or Europe as a whole.