This is record military support. Sweden announced on Tuesday February 20 new military aid to Ukraine in the form of equipment worth 7.1 billion crowns, or around 633 million euros, while kyiv is struggling against Moscow .
“The reason we continue to support Ukraine is a matter of humanity and decency. Russia has started an illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war,” Swedish Defense Minister Pål said at a press conference. Johnson.
Most of this aid consists of artillery munitions, warships, underwater weapons (mines and torpedoes), anti-tank missiles, grenades and anti-aircraft systems requested by kyiv.
This aid package, the fifteenth granted by Stockholm since the start of the war, comes a few days before the symbolic date of February 24, the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Essential help for Sweden's security
“The situation in Ukraine is difficult,” said the Swedish Defense Minister, promising to support kyiv as long as necessary.
Russian troops are on the offensive, in large numbers, when the Ukrainian army lacks men, weapons, ammunition, and American aid is frozen.
The aid announced by the Swedish government is also essential to ensure the security of the Scandinavian country in the long term, said Mikael Oscarsson, member of the Christian Democratic Party (Kristdemokraterna) which belongs to the government coalition, at the press conference.
“There would be direct consequences for our security if Putin wins” the war, he said.
The aid comes days after Ukraine signed bilateral security agreements with Berlin and Paris, and London earlier this year, to address NATO's current weaknesses.
See alsoFrance announces “up to 3 billion euros” in additional military aid to Ukraine
With AFP
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