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What does Russia give in exchange for North Korean troops?
Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, shares his perspective on European politics from Stockholm, Sweden.
What are the global consequences of North Korean soldiers now appearing on the frontlines in Ukraine?
Well, I think first, it's a reflection of the fact that Russia President Putin, does have difficulties getting the manpower to man the front lines. He has difficulty recruiting in Russia itself. He's dependent upon soldiers, and evidently, he's now dependent upon North Korea to supply the front lines. I mean, that's a sign of at least long-term weakness in terms of Russia. Then the question is, of course, what has he given in return to the sort of dictator in Pyongyang? In all probability, high-tech and different sorts of military equipment. And that, of course, has serious implications or potential serious implications for stability on the Korean Peninsula. So there are consequences on the frontlines in Russia and on the Korean Peninsula.
What’s the nature of the agreements that German Chancellor Scholz concluded during his recent visit to Delhi?
Well, apart from bilateral German-Indian things, he was putting an amount of pressure on the Indians to move forward on the negotiations ongoing for a free trade agreement between the European Union and India. That's been negotiations that have been going on for quite some time. It's been a valley of tears because of slightly different approaches from the European and the Indian side. But it's clearly very much in the mutual interest to have such an agreement concluded, particularly since we don't know what's going to happen in the US. And more choppy waters when it comes to global trade. So let's see if there is any progress coming out of the visit. It remains to be seen.
EU and India restart relationship and trade negotiations
Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden, shares his perspective from London.
What was the significance of Indian Prime Minister Modi's tour in Europe?
I think it was important. There is an attempt to restart the relationship primarily between the European Union and India. Ursula von der Leyen was in Delhi and now Modi has been to Berlin. He has met all of the Nordic prime ministers. He was in Paris. There has been a restart of trade negotiations, always difficult with India. And there's been setting up the Trade and Technology Council between India and the EU. It could be something, remains to be seen.
Will Finland and Sweden join NATO?
Yes, they will. You can expect a formal declaration of intent by the two governments within the next two weeks, and then fairly speedy negotiations with Brussels, and then hopefully a fairly speedy ratification by the member states notably by the US. This was certainly not what Mr. Putin had in mind when he launched his invasion and his war. It changes the security structure of Europe. It creates, I think primarily for Northern Europe, a more stable and secure situation that we had before.