Earlier this week, Samnytt highlighted that SVT profile and cultural historian Edward Blom made a comparison in which he concluded that Hungary’s diplomatic relations and trade with Russia – which the country relies on for its energy infrastructure – is ‘infinitely much worse’ than gang rapes in Sweden. Now Blom elaborates on his view to Samnytt, stating that at its core, it concerns what he considers crimes against humanity, which in his view are more extensive than ‘Swedish gang rapes.’
On the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the debate has been heated, with many discussing the background of the war and especially how long support can continue at its current level – with billions from Swedish taxpayers and promises that the support will continue at the same pace as long as necessary.
Several of Sweden’s party leaders and ministers have had their comment sections filled with critical voices claiming they are focusing more on a country outside the EU than on Sweden itself, in connection with announcements that support for Ukraine will continue indefinitely until Russia is defeated. Critics are also questioning the claim that this is the only way to protect the EU’s future.
In addition to politicians, media figure Edward Blom has engaged in the Ukraine debate, including in several heated exchanges in recent days. One of these concerned Hungary’s diplomatic contacts and trade with Russia, with the country’s energy infrastructure dependent on Russian oil and gas, and where former US President Donald Trump has granted Hungary an exemption from sanctions to allow continued trade.
“Evil policy”
Edward Blom cannot accept this and argues that Hungary is pursuing an ‘evil policy’ when the country, which lacks a coastline, tries to have oil delivered via pipelines from Russia through Ukraine, just as before.
According to Blom, Hungary should be ostracized for its stance in the war, as it has maintained diplomatic relations with Russia.
‘I am very fond of Hungary as a country, but with the evil policy they are currently pursuing, Hungary should be suspended from the EU until they have voted out all the pro-Putin swines,’ writes the SVT profile on X.
But what garnered the most attention on social media was when a person replied to Edward Blom and framed the evil, starting from Hungary’s diplomatic relations, in a Swedish perspective, writing: ‘It’s better to have gang rapes, an extreme number of murders, and other crap like we have in this country.’
Blom then replied: ‘Yes, supporting Putin’s Russia is infinitely much worse,’ he stated, before adding that crime in Sweden also needs to be tackled.
Also takes ‘Swedish gang rapes’ seriously
In a post on the social media platform X, the SVT profile clarifies for Samnytt what he meant with the comparison and his conclusion.
‘The Russian army’s atrocities and crimes against humanity are more extensive than Swedish gang rapes,’ reads part of the post published in his comment on Wednesday.
