Sweden awaits Russian blacklist explanation

Swedish MEPs and MPs are among more than 80 EU citizens who Russia has blacklisted from visiting the country, reports Swedish Television News.
Among the eight Swedes who appear on a list that Russian authorities gave to EU representatives in Moscow on Thursday, are MEPs Anna-Maria Corazza Bildt and Gunnar Hökmark, both of the conservative Moderates.
While the Swedish Foreign Ministry says that they are still waiting for an explanation from Russia about why eight Swedish citizens are on the list, Elena Namli, a professor at the Uppsala Centre for Russian and Eurasian Studies, tells SVT:
“These are people who have very actively pushed for the Council of Europe to have a tough policy against Russia, so there is a logic.”
In a tweet, Corazza Bildt, wrote, “Putin’s list is a confirmation that I am doing right as a parliamentarian.” Corazza Bildt, who is married to Sweden’s former foreign minister Carl Bildt, has been outspoken against Russia’s president.
Others on the list include Lena Adelsohn-Liljeroth, a former MP for the Moderates and Rear Admiral Odd Werin, Sweden’s military representative to the EU and NATO.
Related stories from around the North:
Denmark: Nordics to step up security cooperation on perceived Russian threat, Yle News
Finland: Survey – More than half of reservists in Finland pro-Nato, Yle News
Norway: Norway must ramp up military in response to Russia: report, Barents Observer
Russia: Putin signs law against “undesirable” NGOs, Barents Observer
Sweden: Arctic Challenge Exercise begins over North Sweden, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Arctic rep: Russia’s Arctic buildup not necessarily martial, Alaska Public Radio Network