France and Sweden signed agreements Monday to supply the Nordic country with 4 modern frigates, strengthening the defenses of NATO’s newest member in the strategically important Baltic Sea region, where Russia uses key shipping lanes and airspace.
The signature ceremony took place during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Sweden as the French president pushes for greater European military autonomy to reduce the continent’s reliance on the United States. The U.S. administration last week pressed European allies in NATO to demonstrate that they are strengthening their defenses as Washington shifts its attention to security challenges closer to home and in the Indo-Pacific region.
