The Swedish Social Democratic Youth League (SSU) has called for Sweden to leave NATO, citing distrust in US leadership under Donald Trump. SSU advocates for stronger EU defense collaboration instead. The move has sparked criticism from the Moderate Youth League, which warns that such a stance could benefit Russia.
SSU Calls for Sweden to Exit NATO Amidst Concerns Over US Leadership
SSU Calls for Sweden to Exit NATO Amidst Concerns Over US Leadership
Last year, Sweden became a member of NATO. Now, the Swedish Social Democratic Youth League (SSU) wants to leave the defense alliance. "It is no longer possible to trust the US with Donald Trump in the White House," says the newly elected chairperson Moska Hassas.
The Social Democrats made a dramatic shift in their view of NATO following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The then Social Democratic government submitted the membership application in May of the same year, a process that concluded in March 2024.
However, the SSU never supported this shift. Instead, they advocate for deeper defense cooperation at the EU level.
"In a future where Donald Trump or another Republican is president, and the US and NATO can neither help nor want to help us, we need our own solution for defense. Then the EU is a better path," said the former SSU chairperson Lisa Nåbo.
SSU: Sweden Should Exit NATO
At the youth league's congress over the weekend, a new decision was made: SSU will work towards a NATO exit.
The new SSU chairperson Moska Hassas declined an interview about the decision, responding to Expressen in a written comment. Like her predecessor, she highlights US politics as a reason for Sweden to leave NATO:
"SSU has been right in its analysis from the start: it is no longer possible to trust the US with Donald Trump in the White House. The congress's decision on a NATO exit is based on our desire for deeper defense cooperation within the EU. Sweden and Europe need to stand strong when the world is unstable," she writes.
Muf: "Playing into Putin's Hands"
Douglas Thor, the chairperson of the Moderate Youth League, strongly reacts to SSU's statement. He calls NATO "the best protection for Europe" and warns that the youth league's stance could become the main party's policy.
"One wonders what planet SSU is living on. Leaving NATO would be playing directly into Putin's hands," says Douglas Thor.
Expressen has reached out to the Social Democrats.