Sweden, waiting to join NATO blocked by Hungary, announced on Tuesday a new military aid package for Ukraine worth 630 million euros to help it repel the Russian invasion. The bulk of this aid, amounting to 7.1 billion Swedish krona, exists in artillery ammunition, Warships, Underwater weapons – mines and torpedoes –, Anti-tank missiles, Grenades and anti-aircraft systems.
The aid package is the 15th agreed by Stockholm since the start of the war and was announced four days after two years since the start of Russia’s invasion of the former Soviet republic. “The reason we continue to support Ukraine is a matter of humanity and decency. Russia has unleashed an illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war“, explained the Minister of Defense at a press conference, Buddy Johnson.
“The situation in Ukraine is difficult”added the Swedish Defense Minister, who promises to keep this assistance going as long as necessary.
The war in Ukraine, soon entering its third year, was a turning point in the Scandinavian country, which abandoned its neutralization policy to adopt collective defense principles built into NATO. Sweden, along with Finland, applied to join the Atlantic Alliance, but was blocked by Turkey and Hungary. After intensive negotiations, President Erdogan overturned the veto, but not Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who continued to demand compensation for his green light. This Tuesday it was announced that the Hungarian Parliament will vote on Stockholm’s candidacy for NATO next Monday.