The relevant statement was made by Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
Additionally, Jonson called on the EU to increase defense production volumes.
According to Jonson, the Swedish Presidency comes at a really critical time for the entire European Union. Russia’s criminal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine is the biggest challenge to the European security since the end of World War II.
Jonson noted that Ukraine is fighting not only for its own freedom but also the freedom of Europe. Russia challenges the very existence of Ukraine, as well as European values and the common European future. Hence, according to Jonson, economic, humanitarian, political and military support for Ukraine is about investing in Europe’s own security.
Among the actions that the Swedish EU Presidency will pay attention to is the continuation of the effective operation of the EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine (EUMAM), which had been launched in a record short time and is expected to train 15,000 Ukrainian servicemen as soon as this year. An important issue is also the completion of the process of allocating the 7th tranche of aid for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility.
