Sweden plans to move from direct weapons supplies to their production in Ukraine.

The Minister of Defense of Sweden, Paul Jönsson, said that the government of his country wants to change the policy regarding direct military aid to Ukraine, namely, instead of direct supplies of equipment and weapons, a move to the organization of production on Ukrainian territory. This should be facilitated by Sweden’s decision that the Defense Procurement Agency (FMV) of the Swedish Ministry of Defense should expand its work in Ukraine starting in the fall of 2024. Jonson emphasized that in the case of launching the FMV, the presence of Swedish civilian personnel working in Ukraine will fully comply with international law. This should act as a kind of “safeguard” for possible attempts by the Kremlin to intimidate Stockholm, which is quite logical to expect against the background of Sweden’s intention to produce weapons in Ukraine. The minister added that the organization of defense production at Ukrainian facilities will help to strengthen support for the Ukrainian army without reducing the operational capabilities of Sweden itself.