Sweden is increasing its military assistance to Ukraine by an additional SEK 25 billion (€2.2 billion) per year for the next two years. The support includes cooperation in the production of long-range missiles and drones.
The Swedish government announced during a press conference at Karlberg Castle in Stockholm on Friday that the support to Ukraine will amount to at least SEK 25 billion (€2.2 billion) per year until 2026.
In addition, Sweden will contribute financially to the production of long-range weapons on Ukrainian soil, which defense minister Pål Jonson said was the government’s top priority.
– This is also an investment in our own security. Ukraine’s security is our security, said Minister of Defense Pål Jonsson at the press conference.
The exact scope of Sweden’s contribution to the production of long-range missiles to attack targets in Russia has not yet been determined, but Jonsson explained that the details would be clarified early next year.
– We will come back in January with our 18th support package, and then we will allocate resources to this, Mr. Jonson promised his Ukrainian counterpart, who was also present.
Sweden will soon contribute substantial funds to make Ukraine able to mass produce Ukrainian long-range missiles and long range drones. Presented the news with defence minister Rustem Umerov at Karlberg Castle today. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/QoGEWYVq53
— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) November 22, 2024
Top priority
During the press conference, Jonsson also described Russia’s increased war activity as an attempt to dissuade the outside world from continuing to support Ukraine, and stressed that this did not affect Sweden’s commitment.
– Supporting Ukraine is Sweden’s top security priority. But it is about more than that. Our cooperation is growing. This is about building a true and strong partnership between two countries, said the Minister of Defense.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umjerov also attended the meeting and expressed his gratitude for Sweden’s commitment. He described the situation on the front lines as difficult, but stressed that Russian forces were suffering significant losses.
– I would like to thank Minister of Defense Pål Jonsson, the Swedish government and the Swedish people for your strong support to us. Together, we want to create a military capability that will benefit both nations in the future. We are working with your industry now.
Since the start of the war in February 2022, Sweden has contributed almost SEK 50 billion (€4.4 billion) in military support to Ukraine. At the same time, Swedish households have found it increasingly difficult to cope with rising costs due to inflation and higher prices for essential goods such as food and clothing.
