Sweden is increasingly moving away from neutrality and sends a second shipment of 5,000 missile launchers to Ukraine – Observer

Sweden will send a second shipment of weapons to Ukraine, contributing an additional 5,000 missile launchers, Having already allowed the delivery of the first historic in the amount of 37.7 million euros, This Wednesday was released by the Swedish government.

Sweden will double its contribution to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with More than 5,000 rocket launchers and demining equipment. A new historic decision,” the Swedish Foreign Minister stressed, Ann Lindthrough the social network Twitter.

Sweden will double its contribution to the Ukrainian Armed Forces with an additional 5,000 anti-tank weapons and demining equipment. Another historic decision today. ???????????????

– Ann Linde March 23, 2022

Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist also confirmed this new support for Kiev, noting that “Very important to continue to actively support UkraineAccording to the Swedish news agency TT.

The EFE news agency reported that formal approval of the decision by the Riksdag’s Finance Committee should take place soon.

The first shipment of weapons, approved at the end of February, went against the tradition of neutrality in the Scandinavian country, which is not a member of NATO, not to send weapons to countries in conflict.

Sweden has maintained this position uninterruptedly since the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939.

At Kyiv’s request, Sweden sent 5,000 missile launchers and equipment worth about 38 million euros to Ukraine earlier this month.

The Swedish government recently announced its intention to increase annual military spending to 2% of GDP as soon as possible and To integrate more young people into military servicewhich was re-established in 2017.

Sweden and Finland said on Wednesday that their security and defense policy does not mean that they are “neutral countries.” Studying the possibility of integrating or enhancing cooperation with NATO.

Sweden and Finland say they are not “neutral” and are considering NATO membership

They also confirmed that they are ready to help neighboring countries: “If something happens to our neighbors, we are here to help, and if something happens to us, we hope that they will help us.”