Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in Stockholm, have signed a bilateral agreement on security guarantees, citing the President's Office.
According to the document, Sweden will provide military aid to Ukraine amounting to approximately 6.5 billion euros from 2024 to 2026, roughly 2.2 billion euros annually. This assistance package will see a gradual increase over the ten years of the agreement.
The military support encompasses aviation and air defense, armored vehicles, artillery, bolstering maritime security, demining efforts, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Sweden has already supplied and will continue to supply artillery systems like the Archer and combat vehicles like the CV90 to Ukraine, with discussions underway for potential joint production opportunities.
The unique aspect of the agreement with Sweden lies in the provision of specialized ASC 890 aircraft, alongside the prospect of transferring JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to Ukraine, including corresponding training.
Additionally, Sweden will support the development of Ukraine's modern defense-industrial potential and foster bilateral cooperation concerning localization, repair, technical servicing, and production of Swedish defense products in Ukraine.
Specific components of the agreement address support for the peace formula, sanctions, compensation for damages, holding aggressors accountable, as well as assistance to Ukraine in economic recovery, reconstruction, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Furthermore, Sweden will help Ukraine on its path towards membership in the EU and NATO.
Security guarantees
In July 2023, at the NATO summit in Vilnius, G7 leaders solidified security guarantees for Ukraine through a Joint Declaration, laying the groundwork for a series of bilateral security pacts. Ukraine has already concluded such agreements with the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Finland, the Netherlands, Latvia, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal.
Zelenskyy had announced during his visit to Sweden that he would sign security guarantees with three countries.