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UKRAINE

Biden to host Swedish PM Kristersson

The two leaders will discuss Nato and Ukraine.

Biden to host Swedish PM Kristersson
Swedish Prime minister Ulf Kristersson looks on during a press conference at the European Council on June 30, 2023. Photo: JOHN THYS/AFP.

The two leaders “will review our growing security cooperation and reaffirm their view that Sweden should join NATO as soon as possible,” the White House said in a statement about the July 5 meeting.

Sweden asked to join NATO in May 2022, three months after Russia invaded Ukraine, but its membership bid, which must be ratified by all 31 member states, has been blocked by Turkey and Hungary.

Western officials had hoped to formally welcome Sweden into the bloc by the time a NATO summit is held in Lithuania on July 11-12.

But earlier this week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced Sweden for allowing a protest during which a man burned pages from the Koran, further clouding the Nordic nation’s chances of quickly joining the military alliance.

“I am delighted that President Biden is inviting us to a meeting next week, before the NATO summit in Vilnius the following week,” Kristersson said in a statement. “The focus of the visit will be on Sweden’s NATO accession.”

At the White House on Wednesday, Biden and Kristersson will also “discuss our shared commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war of aggression,” the White House said.

They will also talk about transatlantic coordination on China, climate change and emerging technologies.

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MILITARY

Sweden pledges another $443 million in military aid to Ukraine

Sweden said there are no firm plans at the moment to send fighter jets to Ukraine, as it donated another $443 million including assault crafts and air defence systems.

Sweden pledges another $443 million in military aid to Ukraine

The 4.6-billion-kronor package is the Nordic country’s 17th aid package to Ukraine, bringing the total value of Sweden’s military aid pledged to Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion to 48.1 billion kronor.

The latest package would include six CB90 (Combat Boat 90) naval assault crafts and portable anti-air systems as well as ammunition for previously donated weaponry, including for the infantry fighting vehicle CV90.

In addition, the package included additional AT4 recoilless anti-tank launchers.

Half of the package was dedicated to the procurement of parts for the construction of Sweden’s Gripen fighter jet, though the government stressed that “at the moment” there were no plans for the transfer of Swedish fighter jets to Ukraine.

But the country said it wanted to be prepared for when the time comes.

“We have been advised by the fighter jet coalition that right now it prefers to focus on the introduction of the F-16 into Ukraine,” Defence Minister Pål Jonson told AFP.

Previously, Sweden has sent its Archer mobile artillery system, 50 of its CV90 armoured combat vehicles as well as “around 10” Leopard 2 tanks and anti-air missile systems.

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