I admit we Swedes no longer care much about Charles XII. But although he lost at Poltava, he weakened Russia beyond belief and while Sweden moved along, Russia stayed a second rate nation.
The Russians are still afraid of the Swedes because the Russians know we are technologically superior and are good friends of the Nato alliance.
Russia today is cornered and is not likely of ever becoming a leading country in any important area whatsoever.
Please pardon me for saluting a true leader like Charles XII.
You wrote:
“I admit we Swedes no longer care much about Charles XII. But although he lost at Poltava, he weakened Russia beyond belief and while Sweden moved along, Russia stayed a second rate nation.”
You lost your empire. Russia advanced on the world stage.
“The Russians are still afraid of the Swedes because the Russians know we are technologically superior and are good friends of the Nato alliance.”
You’re shouldn’t do crack. It leads to delusions. Russia wasn’t even afraid of you in the Soviet era when they sent subs in and out of your waters at will.
“Russia today is cornered and is not likely of ever becoming a leading country in any important area whatsoever.”
Dream on. If Sweden disappeared tomorrow it would mean no more Ikea and some blondes would go missing. Russia is vastly more important on the world stage. No one gives a crap what Sweden thinks about anything. When Russia is involved that is another story. Question: What does Sweden think about the Syrian problem? Answer: It doesn’t matter what Sweden thinks about Syria. It does matter what Russia thinks about Syria.
“Please pardon me for saluting a true leader like Charles XII.”
Salute him all you like. All your great men have been dead for centuries and you’ll never produce any others. Saluting them is all you can do now.