Swedish Defence Minister: Ukraine Must Negotiate with Russia From Position of Strength
Russia does not show serious intentions for a peaceful settlement, and therefore it is important to increase defence support for Ukraine to enable it to negotiate a just peace from a position of strength, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said before the meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Ukrinform.
"Well, it seems quite obvious that the Russian side lacks serious intentions to participate in the negotiations. Our position is well known. We focus on providing more defence equipment and military support to Ukraine so that they can negotiate from a position of strength. In this way, we are ensuring a peace that is beneficial to Ukraine, long-term and lasting," the minister commented on yesterday's telephone conversation between the US president and the Kremlin leader.
At the same time, the Swedish defence minister stressed the importance of increasing pressure on Russia, especially sanctions.
"We also want to increase our support for Ukraine. As you may know, we have accelerated our support to Ukraine, and thus, by 2025 alone, we have provided military support to Ukrainians worth $3 billion, and in total - about $8 billion," he added.
Jonson also stressed that it is Ukraine that should decide when and under what conditions a sustainable and just peace will be achieved.
"Our position is to support Ukraine and make them as strong as possible for these negotiations, and of course it depends on the Ukrainians. Everyone wants peace, but no one wants it more than the Ukrainian people. But we have to ensure a just, fair and lasting peace in this regard," he said.
Regarding today's meeting in Brussels, Jonson said that one of the issues to be discussed will be the implementation of the initiative to provide Ukraine with two million artillery shells. Another important discussion will concern the development of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine and the strengthening of training for the Ukrainian military.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on 20 May, the EU Foreign Affairs Council is taking place in Brussels with the participation of both foreign and defence ministers. At both meetings, the key issue will be the continuation of EU assistance to Ukraine and support for its efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace.