NATO: Sec-Gen Holds Presser w/Sweden PM After Denying NATO Deployment In Ukraine

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is speaking at a presser alongside Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson (livestream here). Comes as Sweden for the first time participates in annual military exercises in the Baltic Sea as a full NATO member, alongside troops from 20 other NATO member states. The Baltic Operations 24 continue to 20 June, and include, according to Stars and Stripes, "amphibious, gunnery, anti-submarine, air defense and mine clearance operations, according to a statement from U.S. 6th Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, or STRIKEFORNATO. Explosive ordnance disposal, unmanned underwater and surface vehicle exercises, and medical response scenarios also are planned."

• Speaking in Helsinki on 6 June, Stoltenberg claimed that "Nato has no plans to deploy forces to Ukraine. We are focusing on how we can establish a stronger...institutionalised framework for our support to Ukraine and how to establish and agree a long-term financial commitment to ensure that we stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes," 
• There has been increased speculationthat France could send 'military trainers' to Ukraine, not to fight on the frontlines but to speed up the process of getting Ukrainian recruits battle-ready. There are concerns among some NATO members that this could be seen by Russia as NATO becoming an active participant in the war in Ukraine.