Billström Describes Lavrov as a 'Sorrowful Bulldog'

'A sorrowful bulldog.' This is how former Foreign Minister Tobias Billström describes his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. In his new book, he writes about Lavrov's 'infamous' letter to NATO countries before the invasion of Ukraine.

On December 17, 2021, Russia delivered documents to NATO and the USA.

The country made several demands, such as NATO not allowing more countries to join the defense union and withdrawing its troops from countries that joined after 1997.

Naturally, this was unthinkable for the defense alliance and Western countries.

In his new book 'Critical Situation,' Tobias Billström, Moderate Foreign Minister between 2022 and 2024, describes the letter as a significant event to understand what has happened in Swedish security policy since then.

'Heavy Face'

He also provides a description of the veteran Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who signed the letter.

'His heavy face with the appearance of a sorrowful bulldog is something many have become accustomed to seeing in clips and TV screens,' writes Billström.

As Putin's man, Lavrov's mission is to spread the Russian worldview globally, 'more or less made up and adjusted,' Billström argues.

Criticizing Russian Demands

Billström sees the demand that NATO not accept any more members as a direct challenge to Sweden, which had previously decided on a so-called NATO option.

In the book, the former Foreign Minister criticizes the Russian rhetoric as 'grandiose' and 'droning in its self-righteousness.'

But the words in the letter also violated the sovereignty of Sweden and Finland, with the demand that no more countries be allowed to join NATO.

'Thus, it is no small matter,' writes Billström.