By KYIV. Nov 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Swedish government announces the preparation of a winter aid package for Ukraine, which will include both military and humanitarian support, as well as support for the restoration of critical infrastructure.
"It’s a bigger military support package than all eight previous packages combined. It’s the single largest we’ve done, and we follow exactly the Ukrainian priority list of what they themselves think they need just now," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said.
The SEK 3 billion (about $287 million) military aid package will be more than all the previous eight packages combined (about SEK 2 billion) and the humanitarian aid package will be the largest sent so far, according to the Swedish government website on Wednesday.
It is planned that the new military support package will contain a set of weapons for air defense, including ammunition, all-terrain vehicles, equipment, including winter equipment, sights, tents and camouflage nets.
The humanitarian and emergency aid package covers Ukraine and Moldova and amounts to about SEK 720 million (about $69 million). "Aid will help Ukraine and Moldova get through what is widely believed to be a tough winter for those countries. It will help the most vulnerable with access to food, water and sanitation, winter gear, blankets and heat sources. The support will also help start laying the foundation for a massive work to restore civilian infrastructure in Ukraine," according to the statement said.
The government noted that the emergency aid package will be paid through the UN World Food Program (WFP), the World Bank and the Red Cross Movement.
As noted in the message, Sweden will also continue to support Ukraine within the framework of EU membership, plans to take part in the EU exercises EUMAM together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and also insists on the implementation of eight sanctions packages against the Russian Federation, and that the EU can agree on the ninth sanctions package. "The functioning of solidarity corridors for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products is also of great importance in the future … During the upcoming Swedish EU presidency in the spring of 2023, further support for Ukraine, along with maintaining strong pressure on Russia, will be priorities for the government," the government said.
Kristersson said he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday and informed him of the intention to give Ukraine an aid package, including an air defense system.
"This should help Ukraine, as well as Moldova, also affected by the war, survive the coming winter… Soon the Riksdag [Swedish Parliament] will vote on the package, after which it can be quickly sent, and it will be a contribution so that Ukraine can continue courageously defend your freedom and the freedom of all of Europe," Kristersson said on Facebook on Wednesday.
