Vladimir Putin 's Russia is by no means the power the Soviet Union was during the Cold War . Fast forward more than three decades , and Vladimir Putin 's Russia is by no means the threat -- materially or ideologically -- that the Soviet Union was during the Cold War . But Moscow has increasingly been willing to flex muscles with Sweden , says Gary Schmitt . Sweden has expanded operational ties with Russia , Schmitt says .
Vladimir Putin 's Russia is by no means the power the Soviet Union was during the Cold War . But Moscow has increasingly been willing to flex muscles with Sweden , says Gary Schmitt . Sweden has expanded operational ties with Russia , Schmitt says .