(MENAFN) Citizens across NATO member states in Europe should mentally and physically brace for the possibility of an armed conflict with Russia, Sweden’s Defense Minister Pal Jonson has cautioned, as regional leaders intensify efforts to strengthen military readiness.

As reported by media outlets, Jonson emphasized that Europe must adjust its outlook to the new security environment, stressing that complacency is no longer an option in the face of growing instability. “To preserve peace, we must prepare ourselves both mentally and militarily for the possibility of war,” he said. “A change in mentality is necessary: We must switch to war mode to resolutely deter, defend, and preserve the peace.”

The warning coincides with a broader European movement to enhance defense capabilities.

The European Union has been expanding joint security initiatives, presenting Russia as an immediate danger to the continent—a portrayal that Moscow has dismissed as politically motivated and designed to distract from internal European challenges.

Recent measures announced by the European Commission outline an ambitious plan to increase collective arms procurement to 40% by 2027. The document stresses the need for countries to “invest more, invest together, and invest European,” underscoring cooperation within the bloc’s defense sector and the reduction of external dependency.

Jonson’s remarks also align with Washington’s calls for NATO allies to expand defense budgets and purchase more military hardware, including for Ukraine. The minister defended such steps, noting that Europe currently lacks the manufacturing capacity to meet battlefield demands. “Ukraine needs these assets fast,” he said. “If Europe lacks them, it’s logical to procure them from the US.”

The push for increased military spending comes as several European economies struggle with inflation and budget constraints, fueling debate over whether defense priorities may come at the expense of social and economic stability.

Sweden, which recently became NATO’s newest member after decades of neutrality, has pledged to bolster its armed forces and contribute more actively to the alliance’s northern defenses. The decision marks a major strategic shift for Stockholm, driven by heightened security concerns following Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Moscow, meanwhile, continues to portray the conflict as a NATO-driven proxy war aimed at undermining its national security and influence. Russian officials argue that the alliance’s expansion and rearmament only deepen regional instability.

Jonson’s appeal reflects a growing consensus among Western defense circles that Europe must reorient toward deterrence and preparedness to safeguard long-term stability. His call for a “war mode” mentality signals what many see as the end of Europe’s post-Cold War sense of safety and the beginning of a new era of vigilance.

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