By international law all arms sales sponsored by UN countries for use by national militaries is publicly visible in great detail. So for example in the past year alone it is visible that Sweden has sold the Russian military $492,300 dollars alone worth of materials in the “Bombs, Grenades, Torpedoes, Mines, Missiles and Similar Munitions of War” category.
They have also hilariously sold the Russian military $233 dollars worth of “Swords, Cutlasses, Bayonets, Lances”.
This also does not take into account weapons imported to Russia for use by police forces, the civilian market, and sporting use.
Also this is only the military industry, the civilian markets between Russia and Sweden trade over a billion dollars annually worth of civilian goods, industrial equipment, resources and other items. For example the three largest Swedish exports to Russia is 326 million dollars of pharmaceuticals, 250 million dollars of industrial chemicals, and 155 million dollars of nuclear reactor parts and equipment.
A hostile relationship with Russia would lead to a painful loss for the Swedish economy.
Well that is extremely interesting! Thank you for this. The half a million for munitions confuses me, especially since it was apparently already during the SMO.
No country in Europe is a true vassal to the US in the historical lordship definition. In fact, such extreme control would be counterproductive to the United States. Instead the US holds the fear of economic isolation over the heads of every single European nation so that none step out of line. Only when this economic isolation fails, for example in the case of Yugoslavia, will the US declare direct action.
So imagine it as if the US lets European nations do whatever they want whenever they want, but the US is always holding a 500 ton boulder over their heads “Just in case”. So while they have the “choice”, there are no alternatives to the US and they will be crushed.
This isn’t just isolated to Europe. The US uses this same system with almost every single nation and region on the planet without fail. Which is why countries such as China are such an existential threat, as China offers an alternative to the US. The same goes for economic blocs such as BRICS, the Warsaw Bloc, and the African market.
I see, just some countries more than others then. Also, why would it be counter productive? Economically or geopolitically? (well those are connected in some regard)
Is this also why some European leaders are flirting with China a little? So they can play both sides?
Sweden is a major gun, arms, and ammunition manufacturer and exporter. They sell large amounts to everyone (including Russia) and have for decades.
Their neutrality benefits their arms industry and the Swedish government is hesitant to give that up.
What have they been selling to Russia?
By international law all arms sales sponsored by UN countries for use by national militaries is publicly visible in great detail. So for example in the past year alone it is visible that Sweden has sold the Russian military $492,300 dollars alone worth of materials in the “Bombs, Grenades, Torpedoes, Mines, Missiles and Similar Munitions of War” category.
They have also hilariously sold the Russian military $233 dollars worth of “Swords, Cutlasses, Bayonets, Lances”.
This also does not take into account weapons imported to Russia for use by police forces, the civilian market, and sporting use.
Also this is only the military industry, the civilian markets between Russia and Sweden trade over a billion dollars annually worth of civilian goods, industrial equipment, resources and other items. For example the three largest Swedish exports to Russia is 326 million dollars of pharmaceuticals, 250 million dollars of industrial chemicals, and 155 million dollars of nuclear reactor parts and equipment.
A hostile relationship with Russia would lead to a painful loss for the Swedish economy.
Well that is extremely interesting! Thank you for this. The half a million for munitions confuses me, especially since it was apparently already during the SMO.
Oh thanks I did not know that.
So while we are on the topic, what European countries aren’t American vassals?
Is there a rundown of European geopolitics? Am I misunderstanding which are vassals?
Isn’t Europe realizing it can’t abandon China? Do they have that independence?
No country in Europe is a true vassal to the US in the historical lordship definition. In fact, such extreme control would be counterproductive to the United States. Instead the US holds the fear of economic isolation over the heads of every single European nation so that none step out of line. Only when this economic isolation fails, for example in the case of Yugoslavia, will the US declare direct action.
So imagine it as if the US lets European nations do whatever they want whenever they want, but the US is always holding a 500 ton boulder over their heads “Just in case”. So while they have the “choice”, there are no alternatives to the US and they will be crushed.
This isn’t just isolated to Europe. The US uses this same system with almost every single nation and region on the planet without fail. Which is why countries such as China are such an existential threat, as China offers an alternative to the US. The same goes for economic blocs such as BRICS, the Warsaw Bloc, and the African market.
I see, just some countries more than others then. Also, why would it be counter productive? Economically or geopolitically? (well those are connected in some regard)
Is this also why some European leaders are flirting with China a little? So they can play both sides?