Defense Minister Jonsson of Sweden, whose membership in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is attracting attention, responded to an exclusive interview with NHK. Defense Minister Jonsson stated, ``We have a strong defense industrial base,'' emphasizing Sweden's role in European security and supporting Ukraine, and calling for early membership.
Swedish Defense Minister Jonsson gave an exclusive interview to NHK on the 5th in Stockholm, the capital.
Regarding Sweden's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Defense Minister Jonsson said, ``We are talking with Hungary. He expressed his hope that the Hungarian parliament, which does not currently exist, will discuss the matter soon and that it will be able to join as soon as possible.
Regarding the need to join NATO, Defense Minister Jónsson said, ``We have a strong defense industrial base. We also have intelligence agencies that are particularly focused on Russia,'' and said that he wanted to strengthen NATO to counter the Russian threat. He emphasized that Sweden has an important role to play in this regard.
As part of its support for Ukraine, he began talks with the Ukrainian side in August last year, and stated that ``we must be a member of NATO in order to make a decision'' regarding the provision of the Gripen, a Swedish-made fighter jet that is attracting attention. , expressed the idea that becoming a member of NATO would advance cooperation with other countries and promote support for Ukraine.
On the other hand, Defense Minister Jonsson said, ``Russia has not been successful so far,'' regarding the war situation in Ukraine, adding, ``It is particularly important to provide Ukraine with artillery shells and air defense systems.'' He emphasized that Western countries need to continue providing support in order to restore the fighting capabilities of the Ukrainian military.