Why is this message coming now? Two factors have driven the Social Democrats to switch sides. The announcement that Denmark and the Netherlands will send F16 planes to Ukraine means that Sweden does not have to be first. And there is a safety in having company in this decision, because Russia will not look kindly on this. The second factor is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s visit to Harpsund last weekend. All the party leaders were there, and everyone I spoke to afterwards said they were deeply moved by his stories about the war in Ukraine. The personal meeting has given weight to Ukraine’s wishes for the Gripen, which was probably not there in the same way before. The war got closer to the party leaders and became personal. And it is now having political consequences. What will the government do? The Social Democrats are now putting pressure on Ulf Kristersson. The government’s message so far has been that Sweden needs these plans for our own defence. Now Ulf Kristersson must weigh the security situation against political wishes and needs. At the same time, it is not uncommon for the opposition to go further in times like this. 1.5 years ago, it was the opposition leader Ulf Kristersson who acted as a whistle blower to Magdalena Andersson about sending the Archer artillery system to Ukraine. And then it was Magdalena Andersson in the role of Prime Minister who resisted with reference to our security situation. So these kinds of demands are easier to push in opposition. When can Gripen planes be sent to Ukraine? Probably an actual delivery is quite far away. Both the Center Party and the Social Democrats have said that the issue must first be investigated. And the Social Democrats also set as a condition that Swedish NATO membership must be complete before any deliveries can take place. It is a cunning way to put further pressure on Turkey and Hungary. But this means that it will probably be at least a year, probably longer, before the Gripen flies in Ukraine.
t4-general