This is how the EU should prevent arms smuggling from Ukraine

The EU warns of a greater influx of smuggled weapons from Ukraine.

- The risk is very great.

Right now the weapons are being used to defend against the Russian invasion.

But one day this war will be over and we have learned that weapons can go astray long after a war has ended, says Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner responsible for home affairs.

Marking and "security hub"

With lessons learned from the wars in the former Yugoslavia, the EU has tried to prevent the problem.

Among other things, by drawing up an action plan together with the Ukrainian government for the marking of weapons.

In addition, a "security hub" has been started in Moldova with personnel from, among others, Fontex and Europol.

- Moldova has a long border with Ukraine, a large part of which is controlled by the Russians through Transnistria.

It is important that we are there and strengthen together with Moldova, says Ylva Johansson.

New weapons directive

At the same time, she says that it is important that each member state strengthens its own legislation and makes a clear distinction between legal weapons and illegal weapons.

- We a weapons directive from 2017 which unfortunately Sweden has not fully implemented, which I take seriously.

Now I will follow up on the member states that do not implement it and shortly make proposals for a strengthened weapons directive.

"Other muscles today"

How good a chance does the EU have to stop the smuggling of weapons from Ukraine after the war? 

- I think we have quite good opportunities to have a different development than we had after the wars in the former Yugoslavia.

We have completely different muscles today.

More about the weapon's way to Sweden in the Foreign Office: The gang's weapon on SVT Play.