17 january, 2024
Sweden does not rule out sending Gripen aircraft to Ukraine. The final decision depends on when the Scandinavian country will become a NATO member.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said this in Davos, Ukrinform reports.
“The Swedish Prime Minister, when asked about the matter, clearly said that “we do not rule anything out,” Billström said, answering a question about providing Ukraine with JAS 39 Gripen fighters, which can carry high-precision weapons to hit ground and surface targets.
At the same time, the diplomat noted that the decision depends on the country’s speed of joining NATO.
“We have to set up a commission because we need to think about Sweden’s security. But again, we are not ruling anything out,” he concluded.
In May 2023, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk met with Swedish Foreign Minister Jan Knutsson in Sweden and urged to donate Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.
- On August 19, during a visit to Sweden, President Zelenskyy announced that test flights of Gripen aircraft had begun with the participation of Ukrainian pilots. He discussed in detail with the Swedish leader the future steps for Ukraine to receive these aircraft. However, Sweden says it needs these aircraft to protect its own territory.
“At the same time, the diplomat noted that the decision depends on the country’s speed of joining NATO.”
Two trash countries are preventing a lot of aid to Ukraine. One is Turkey and the other is Hungary. Do the alliance a favor and kick both out of NATO.
Turkey is a fuck up, yet Zelensky refuses to see it! He’s on the wrong track, again!
He is not. If Erdogan opens the Bosphorus for Russian warships, Ukraine is toast.
Usually I don’t like appeasement, but in this Zelensky doesn’t really have choice.
Also, at the very beginning Turkey was quite helpful as they were the only nation to provide high-end drones.
^bert
The turks/tatars are an enemy of all slavs, period.
Such stereotyping is neither fair, realistic nor helpful, Mike.
But it is my core believe. I respect your different opinion though.
I do think Erdogan is a goatfucker not to be trusted, but Turkey is such a powerful position that it is impossible to ignore them.
^bert
That’s solely due to the Bosporus Straights.
But Turkey has also been one of the most active in allowing mafia land to circumvent sanctions, and it increased trade with mafia land. These actions weigh more than handing Ukraine a few drones, which are not important anymore.
Don’t get me wrong, I think he is a terrible guy and not really pro-Ukrainian.
He did however also create the grain corridor.
But he is not a good guy, not pro-Ukrainian and of course also dealing with Russia, I absolutely recognise this.
^bert
Erdogoon is like a woman; you never know what mood he’ll be in the next day. Will I wear the blue and yellow dress today, or the white, red, blue one?
Zelensky is playing as many fiddles at once as possible, I suppose.
Just stop talking about it and just do it!!!
Not sure what the hesitation is other than simple timidness.
Russia has upwards of 500k troops tied up in Ukraine and as lone as they are there Russia can not launch an attack on a militarily and politically strong country like Sweden.
What’s more just getting access to Sweden is not a simple matter and a logistical challenge. Russia’s strategic position is far stronger near Ukraine and they have had a terrible time supplying their troops.
Donating one squadron will not substantially compromise Sweden’s defense but would be a huge boon for the Ukrainians. Every Russian dead in Donbas is one less that can be used in Baltic region.
Mr. Marcodian, FEAR has been the guiding light in this war for the West. Even after nearly two years of war and the tremendous courage shown by Ukraine’s men AND women all along, fear remains deeply embedded. Don’t ask me how this can be, it’s just my observation.
Yes. And also who cares about NATO membership? If Russia wants to invade Sweden, they need to go through Finland first which is a NATO country.
NATO will have to protect Sweden even if they aren’t technically in NATO.
^bert
Indeed, as Sweden has no border with mafia land.