When Expo recently published an ‘investigation’ of local Sweden Democrat politician Joakim Virtanen, he was portrayed as a Putin supporter and someone who absolves Russia of responsibility for the war in Ukraine, instead placing blame on the West. But Samnytt has obtained extensive email correspondence between Virtanen and Expo’s reporter preceding the publication, which paints a different picture—one that the far-left doxing site left out.

In his communications with Expo reporter Anders Dalsbro, Virtanen explicitly distances himself from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, places significant responsibility on Russia, and explains that his criticism is directed at how Swedish media and experts describe Russia as a society—not support for Vladimir Putin or the Kremlin.

In the introduction to the article, Expo writes that Virtanen “has repeatedly reacted positively to posts that downplay Russia’s responsibility for the war in Ukraine and place blame on the West.”

At the bottom of the article, Expo also refers to previous investigations of what they describe as Sweden Democrats who have spread or reacted positively to “pro-Russian messages.”

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In this way, Virtanen, too, is put in the same category—even though his answers to Expo contain repeated and clear statements distancing himself from the Russian invasion.

“I do not support Russia’s invasion”

In his written response to Expo, Virtanen writes, among other things:

“I do not support Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. I do not consider the invasion justified. I do not support aggressive war, civilian suffering, or violations of international law. Through its invasion, Russia bears a great deal of responsibility for the war and its consequences.”

He goes on to explain that his posts about Russia were not to defend the war but to counter what he sees as an oversimplified and sometimes misleading image of the country.

“My comments have not been about defending the war, but about something else: I believe that the analysis of Russia in Sweden often becomes oversimplified, moralizing, and sometimes weak from a security policy perspective if it is based on caricatures rather than a realistic understanding of how the country actually works.”

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Virtanen also writes that Sweden needs the most accurate information possible about Russia, as misconceptions about the country’s strength and capacities can lead to poor decisions in defense and security policy.

“If we underestimate Russia, or base our analysis on faulty assumptions about the country’s weakness, we risk making worse decisions in matters concerning security policy, defense, preparedness, and international relations.”

Criticism of Swedish experts

A central part of Expo’s article concerns Virtanen’s criticism of several Swedish Russia experts. In his answer to Expo, he explains that the criticism is not about these individuals lacking knowledge, but that their descriptions, in his view, are often too narrow when they comment on Russian society, daily life, and how the country functions in practice.

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“My criticism of certain experts and commentators is about this. I do not mean that they lack expertise in their respective fields, but that their descriptions sometimes become too narrow when they talk about Russian society, daily life, the perspectives of the population, and how the country works in practice.”

READ ALSO: Researcher: Swedish media and politicians mislead with propaganda about the Ukraine war

He also highlights his own long experience of Russia and the fact that he speaks Russian fluently as a background for his views and expertise.

Requested clarification after publication

After the article was published, Virtanen contacted Expo again to request a clarification. He wrote that the comments Expo emphasized mainly concerned Russian society, daily life, infrastructure, and the Swedish media depiction of Russia—not support for the war or the Russian regime.

“I therefore ask you to consider clarifying in the article so the reader does not get the impression that my comments about Russian everyday life and the Swedish media image of Russia are the same as support for the war, Putin, or the Russian government.”

However, Expo declined to amend the article.

Sees a broader pattern before the election campaign

In an interview with Samnytt, SD politician Joakim Virtanen says that Expo’s article should not be seen in isolation but as part of a larger pattern where Sweden Democrats are portrayed negatively leading up to the election campaign.

According to him, several SD associations over the past few months have noticed a significant increase in negative comments on social media from people outside the affected localities.

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He describes it as the same types of accounts recurring in comment sections with accusations of Nazism and fascism, raising questions about whether there are organized attempts to discredit the party.

Virtanen also questions the proportionality of Expo’s investigation, pointing out that the article is based on a single discussion thread in the Facebook group “Russia – everything relating to Russia”, where, according to him, the conversation mainly concerned everyday life in Russia, social conditions, and the Swedish media depiction of the country.

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– It is just one thread that prompted the entire article. I have never written anything defending the war, praising Putin, or attacking Ukraine. The discussion was about how Russian society works in practice and the risk of building analyses on a faulty or simplified picture of Russia, he says to Samnytt.

He claims that his starting point has always been the same—that Sweden needs a realistic understanding of Russia as a security policy counterpart.

– If political, defense, and security decisions are based on incorrect information, the consequences risk becoming serious. My aim has been to convey as truthful a picture of reality as possible, not to defend the Russian regime or its actions.

Virtanen: “The introduction is misleading”

In his conversation with Samnytt, the SD politician directs special criticism at the wording in Expo’s introduction claiming he reacted positively to posts downplaying Russia’s responsibility and placing blame on the West.

What is your view on that wording?

– It’s misleading. If I, for example, like various articles or comments, it doesn’t mean I agree with every part of the content. It’s not support for the war and it’s not a way of saying Russia is innocent or that the West is to blame for everything.

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He points out that he had already explained in his answer to Expo that a like does not necessarily mean full agreement with the entire argument.

– Sometimes you mark that an aspect of a reasoning is relevant without approving the entire formulation.

Long experience of Russia

Asked about his background before entering politics, Virtanen describes many years of professional connection with Russia.

Before his political work in Sweden, Virtanen completed military service at the Swedish Armed Forces Language School with a focus on Russian. After that, he worked at Sweden’s embassy in Moscow under then Ambassador Sven Hirdman and served as a Russia expert within the Armed Forces.

READ ALSO: Sven Hirdman on Expressen’s Russia accusations: ‘I don’t want to deal with that nonsense’

He has also held leading positions within IKEA’s operations in Russia, including working with the company’s extensive shopping center initiatives in the country.

What experience do you have yourself of Russia?

– I started at the Swedish embassy in Moscow and worked closely with Ambassador Sven Hirdman. After that, for nearly twenty years, I worked as an interpreter and Russia specialist for the Armed Forces, including during Swedish observation flights over Russia within the Open Skies agreement.

READ ALSO: Former ambassador to Russia: Therefore Putin will not attack Sweden

– I have also worked in the private sector with the establishment of shopping centers and in the transport sector in Russia. In total, I have extensive experience of the country.

Virtanen believes this experience is behind his view that Russia should be analyzed based on real conditions rather than stereotypes.

– Wanting to have a realistic view of a country is not the same as supporting its government or its actions.

The SD politician is running in the election

Joakim Virtanen is currently the second vice chairman for the Sweden Democrats in Kristinehamn. He is a substitute in the municipal council, school board, and the committee for support, care, and welfare.

In the 2026 election, he is running for both the municipal council in Kristinehamn and the regional council in Värmland.

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