Europeans across the bloc should prepare for a potential conflict with Russia, Pal Jonson has said

People living in European NATO member states must brace themselves for a possible war with Russia, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson told RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) in an interview published on Sunday.

Jonson's remarks come as the EU accelerates a broad militarization drive. Brussels has cast Russia as an imminent threat, a narrative Moscow has dismissed as a political distraction from Europe's domestic crises.

"To preserve peace, we must prepare ourselves both mentally and militarily for the possibility of war," the official said. "A change in mentality is necessary: We must switch to war mode to resolutely deter, defend, and preserve the peace."

The push for greater defense spending aligns with calls from US President Donald Trump, who has demanded that European members buy more American weapons - including for Ukrainian use. Jonson justified such purchases, saying that Europe "simply doesn't have or cannot yet produce" the necessary systems. "Ukraine needs these assets fast," he said. "If Europe lacks them, it's logical to procure them from the US."

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The European Commission last week unveiled a roadmap outlining its plans to expand joint arms procurement to at least 40% by 2027. The document emphasized the need to "invest more, invest together, and invest European," citing global strategic shifts to other regions among "traditional allies."

Moscow views the Ukraine conflict as a NATO proxy war aimed at undermining Russia's security following decades of expansion. Sweden is the bloc's newest member, while Ukraine was promised accession sometime in the future.