Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi visited Sweden for the first time. According to Nordic correspondent Pirjo Auvinen, the guest left the country satisfied.
Pirjo AuvinenCorrespondent for the Nordic countries
STOCKHOLM President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi came to Sweden just a couple of days after the security authorities had announced that the terrorist threat had intensified towards the upper end of the scale.
That is why the visit came as a complete surprise to the Swedes. However, in the case of Zelensky, the security measures would certainly have been top-notch in any case.
Probably due to the threat of terrorism, guests were not brought to the beautiful summer capital, but everything took place in the traditional Swedish countryside of Sörmlann, less than a couple of hours’ drive from Stockholm.
Battle tanks and military training
But the guest seemed to be satisfied with the results of the trip. Just last week, the Swedish Parliament was called from the summer break to decide on the 13th support package for Ukraine. Now Sweden’s aid to the country under Russian attack is already a total of 2.2 billion euros.
And as a result of Saturday’s visit, more help is on the way. Prime minister Ulf Kristersson and President Zelenskyi said that the two countries have agreed that one of the pride of the Swedish military equipment industry, the CV-90 assault tank, will start to be manufactured in Ukraine.
The seat of the pram’s manufacture is in northern Sweden in Örnsköldsvik, and the trade is going like wildfire. Still, it is surprising that manufacturing would begin in war-torn Ukraine, where the production plant would be an easy target for attacks.
In addition, the countries agreed to continue the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Sweden. The commander of the Swedish Defense Forces also participated in the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence Micael Bydén.
Thanking for the help, Zelenskyi suggested to the Swedish Prime Minister that fighter jets, or Jas Gripenes, should also be sent to help Ukraine. At least for now, Kristersson rejected the request, even if fighter pilots were to be trained.
According to Kristersson, the issue of fighter jets can be returned to when Sweden is a member of NATO and the defense alliance decides on the use of assets, possibly also Gripenes, in support of Ukraine.
In the peace of the countryside
The meetings between Zelenskyi and the Swedish government were organized at Harpsund Manor, which is the summer residence of the Swedish Prime Minister. Traditional rowing was not organized apparently for safety reasons. Leaders of major powers have also been held in Harpsund in the past.
Perhaps the most surprising thing was that the meeting of the royal couple of Sweden and the presidential couple of Ukraine had also been arranged in the vicinity of Harpsund at Stenhammar Castle. It doesn’t suddenly occur to me that the king would have met dignitaries in this very environment.
But for the Swedish police, Sörmland’s countryside would certainly be easier to manage than Stockholm, which is bustling with music festivals.
Even so, the Swedish police spared no resources when ensuring safety. For example, all cars that were allowed to come near were checked for fear of bombs.
Sweden seems to have passed its security test. According to press reports, the Ukrainian presidential couple continued to Denmark on Sunday.