Vladimir Putin 's Russia is by no means the threat the Soviet Union was during the Cold War . Putin 's jabs at Sweden are undoubtedly also tied to the fact that the government of Sweden has , in reaction to Putin 's revanchist policies , increased its operational ties to NATO and neighboring NATO states even while remaining formally outside the alliance . The USSR, and its allies in Eastern Europe were a very real danger to Western interests for decades after World War II. Sweden has expanded operational ties with Russia , Schmitt says .
Vladimir Putin 's Russia is by no means the threat the Soviet Union was during the Cold War . The USSR, and its allies in Eastern Europe were a very real danger to Western interests for decades after World War II. Sweden has expanded operational ties with Russia , Schmitt says .