The expert: The conflict can be escalated

The USA and Russia gave different pictures of how their meeting went, says security expert Katarina Engberg.

There is a risk that the conflict will escalate.

– There is still an escalation on the ground, she says.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva to discuss the tense The situation between the great powers.

The United States has promised to respond in writing to Russia’s ‘security proposal’ next week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed after the meeting.

But according to Blinken, no major breakthroughs took place, which held its own press conference after the meeting.

He confirms that the United States will answer Russia in writing on what Blinken calls “ideas”, and says that diplomacy will continue.

A decision e meeting, according to Katarina Engberg, senior adviser at the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies (SIEPS).

– It was good that it did not break down and that they should continue talking. At the same time, they give different pictures of how the meeting went, she says.

From the American side, they want to use and exhaust all opportunities for diplomacy because the alternative is bad, says Katarina Engberg.

– Russia’s tone was accusatory. They complained about the Russian terror that exists in the western world.

“There is an escalation on the ground”

But there is a risk that the conflict will escalate.

– But it may take a little longer than next week. There is still an escalation on the ground. Russia is required to reduce by reducing the troop presence at the Ukrainian border

A possible Russian future attack would probably take place by targeting the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting for years, says Katarina Engberg.

Cyber ​​attacks, coup attempts, missiles

– It can be about cyber attacks, coup attempts, or firing missiles into Ukraine. Even if you were to grind down the Ukrainian military, it would cost lives, and I do not think the Russian people are really prepared for that.

– I do not think they are bloodthirsty, a war against those they see as a brother nation and other losses, I do not think there is support for the Russian people.

Cyber ​​attacks would complicate a possible response from the United States and its allies, she says.

– If there is a cyber attack, how do you react then ? If you fight back with cyber attacks, the Russians may take down parts of the American infrastructure, which they have previously shown that they can. If this happens, it will be the first time we see cyber weapons being used in a way we have not experienced before.

What will happen in Sweden if the conflict escalates?

– Preparedness has already been increased, and it can be increased further. But with what measures and steps can I not answer.