Swedish authorities announced Thursday that they will send tanks and ‘Archer’ artillery systems to Ukraine as pressure mounts on Germany, which has so far been reluctant to supply ‘Leopard’ battle tanks pending further agreement from the allies.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference that the government has thus decided to «reinforce its military support» to the Ukrainian forces as they face the Russian invasion and specified that the supplies will also include «anti-tank robots».
In this sense, he confirmed that the Armed Forces are already on notice to start delivering the artillery system to improve the defense of the Ukrainian Army against new attacks.
«When there is a war, military support is absolutely crucial. Support from the West has been of great importance for Ukraine’s defense capabilities,» Kristersson said during a press conference.
When the now Swedish leader was in opposition last year, he criticized the government for not sending the ‘Archer’ systems and considered Stockholm’s position «weak». Thus, since his arrival in office he has shown his support for this shipment, according to information from the newspaper ‘Aftonbladet’.
The announcement comes shortly after the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, has once again put the spotlight on the sending of this type of aid and has pointed to Germany to warn that he does not see the need for so much doubt regarding the sending of tanks.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)