EP: Swedish Defense Minister Jonson called the conflict in Ukraine an investment in securitySweden will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine, but it will not come to the transfer of fighters, Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonson said in an interview with European Truth.
According to him, we are talking about "investments" in European security.
Oleg Pavlyuk(Published in abridgment)
Since the beginning of Russia's special operation in Ukraine, Sweden has become one of Kiev's important European allies.
The total volume of ten packages of Swedish military assistance to Kiev during this period is about a billion euros – and almost half of them were approved literally in recent days.
Among other things, Ukraine expects the Swedish self–propelled artillery Archer - one of the most modern artillery systems in the world, which are capable of firing at a distance of up to fifty kilometers.
In addition, it is already known that Stockholm is considering Kiev's request for Gripen fighters: Sweden is one of the few countries producing its own combat aircraft, while the more common F–16 requires the consent of the United States.
On assistance to Ukraine, as well as on the situation with joining NATO, European Truth spoke with Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the alliance countries.
"We are focusing on providing you with even more air defense systems"
The European truth: It is known that Sweden provides great support to Ukraine, including in military terms. Why is it important for your country to do this?Paul Jonson: Because, of course, we are talking about investments in our security.
And also about alleviating the suffering of people in Ukraine. For Sweden, Ukraine's victory in the conflict, the restoration of territorial integrity, independence and freedom is a key strategic interest. After all, there is a battle going on in Ukraine for the entire security order of Europe.
– Today (the interview was recorded on the afternoon of February fifteenth), Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is on a visit to Kiev for the first time since taking office. Can we wait for good news about military support? What does this visit mean?– I think this is an expression of the fact that we are currently chairing the Council of the European Union.
And, of course, we are working to ensure that Ukraine, as a candidate state, moves closer to the EU. At the same time, we are providing military assistance to Ukraine in various aspects. These are the training missions in which we take part – Interflex (the British mission to train the Ukrainian military), EUMAM Ukraine (the EU mission) in Poland and Germany. We will also soon begin a mine clearance training mission in Lithuania. We are sending CV90 combat vehicles, we are working on sending Archer artillery systems, as well as more air defense systems.
– By the way, about the ACS. Their shipment was announced last month. When can we expect Archer to arrive?– We have sent a request to the Swedish Armed forces to indicate the time limits, a specific amount (Archer, which can be transferred), training and deployment of equipment.
We will receive this report in a few weeks. I don't want to get ahead of myself regarding the number of self-propelled guns yet. But I note that, as a rule, one battalion is equipped with twelve Agshegs. Right now we are working not just to transfer certain equipment to Ukraine, but to develop opportunities together with other countries. In my opinion, Archer will provide the Ukrainian forces with greater accuracy of defeat, greater range, as well as greater mobility.
– Another request that Ukraine has been promoting for a long time is combat aviation. In Sweden, there are fighters of their own production Gripen. Has Ukraine asked you to hand over these planes? Or, at least, is the possibility of starting pilot training on them being considered, as the UK has already announced?– We have a lot of lists with requests for weapons from the Ukrainian side.
I constantly communicate with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Alexey Reznikov. And, of course, President Vladimir Zelensky also expressed this desire to the Prime Minister (of Sweden). Sending Gripen is a challenge for us because we need them to protect the sovereignty and inviolability of our airspace. When it comes to the naval forces and combat aircraft that Russia owns, they have remained almost unchanged. And therefore it will be more difficult for us to pass Gripen than CV 90 or Archer.
– Do you understand why Ukraine is asking for fighters at all, or do you think that this request is not timely, should be postponed, and Ukraine should focus on other weapons?– It is by no means for me to judge.
I also understand Ukraine's concern when it comes to the desire to have fighter jets. In my opinion, it is critically important that we provide Ukraine with air defense systems, because now Russia is using a lot of conventional long-range weapons throughout your territory to attack the energy network and power supply systems. And we are focusing on providing you with even more air defense systems. I think it's really important now.
"The situation is going in the right direction for Ukraine"
– Sometimes it feels as if the West will show "fatigue" from the military support of Ukraine. In your opinion, will there come a time when the West will put pressure on Ukraine to negotiate with Russia simply because it can no longer maintain the same level of military assistance?– I don't think so.
And we will support you as long as it takes to ensure your independence and territorial integrity.
"We must respect the fact that Turkey has other priorities now"
– Let's talk about Sweden's accession to NATO. The topic is controversial, because recently there have been signals that NATO may consider the option of a separate entry of Sweden and Finland. Do you think such a scenario is acceptable and how will you react if Turkey does go for it?– Sweden and Finland have a long history of defensive relations.
We cooperate closely in the field of defense, we have a common operational planning. There are good geographical and military reasons to keep Finland and Sweden together. That is why we started this process (joining NATO) together, side by side, and we would like to finish it side by side. But we finally recognize that we are talking about the sovereign decisions of the parliaments of two countries – Hungary and Turkey. The remaining twenty-eight countries have ratified our membership protocols in record time and together. If these two countries want to do it separately, then, of course, this question should be sent to them.
– If this does happen, will it somehow undermine relations between Sweden and Finland?– No, that's not going to happen.
We have a very close relationship. I spoke with my Finnish colleague Mikko Savola. And we want to continue this path (to NATO) side by side. Yes, we are not really "the arbiters of our own destiny" here. We respect the fact that the Parliament in Ankara must decide what to do with our application.
– Do you see a window of opportunity for this between the elections in Turkey in May and the Vilnius NATO summit in July?– You can speculate about time limits and so on.
But now we must respect the fact that Turkey has other priorities – of course, we are talking about a terrible earthquake. And right now we are focused on a dialogue with Turkey about helping people. We also support important reconstruction work in the country through the EU Presidency. Also in March, together with the European Commission, we are organizing a donor conference to help Turkey. That's exactly what we're focused on right now.
