Russia-Ukraine conflict: Sweden to provide more military assistance to Ukraine

The West continues to provide more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine as it resists Russia’s aggression since the invasion in February. Sweden’s finance and defense ministers said this week that the country would continue to provide Ukraine with economic and military assistance.

Reuters reports Sweden’s defense minister Peter Hultqvist and finance minister Mikael Damberg said Thursday that the country would be providing additional economic aid and military equipment. The equipment will include anti-ship missiles, anti-tank weapons, and rifles.

“The proposals that are submitted (to parliament) mean that allocated funds for the central government will increase by SEK 1.0 billion ($102 million) in 2022,” the Swedish finance ministry said in a statement. “In solidarity with Ukraine, and as part of the international response to Russia’s actions, the government sees a continuing need to support Ukraine.”

Back in February, Sweden announced that it would be delivering military materials, including 5,000 anti-tank weapons, helmets, and body armor, to Ukraine. In March, Sweden said it would send an additional 5,000 anti-tank weapons.

Many countries have joined in imposing sanctions on Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which continues to this day. According to Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck Thursday, the country must work harder to lessen its energy dependence on Russia. However, Habeck noted that the West’s sanctions on Russia are already taking their toll on Moscow’s war machine.

“The Russian economy is collapsing,” Habeck told lawmakers, citing Germany’s part in reducing exports to Russia in March by 60 percent, and a sharper fall was expected in April.

Habeck also cited that exports to Russia dropped to 53 percent in the previous months among the allied nations joining the sanctions. Exports among countries that are neutral or are pro-Russia have dropped to 45 percent.

“Putin is still getting money but…time is not working for Russia, it is working against Russia,” said Habeck, who added that Moscow has now lost access to important parts that would help it fight the war. Habeck cited “the security updates for airplanes, with the result that the planes will soon be grounded” as one of the parts.