Sweden reveals why Ukraine's NATO membership matters
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine should receive a clear long-term prospect of NATO membership. Its powerful armed forces and innovative defense sector would significantly strengthen the alliance, according to Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, cited by POLITICO.
Why Sweden supports Kyiv in bloc
The media outlet reports that the Swedish government believes every European country is fully entitled to join NATO if it meets the necessary requirements.
According to the minister, no third party should have veto power over this process. Sweden views Ukraine as a future major asset to European security.
The Swedish defense minister outlined three key reasons why closer ties with Kyiv would benefit the alliance.
Ukraine has enormous combat experience and a uniquely large number of military units.
"Where else in Europe can we find 110 brigades?" Minister Jonson emphasized.
The Ukrainian army has established a unique and innovative system of warfare under real combat conditions.
Ukraine's defense production market has become one of the most effective on the continent.
After the full-scale invasion by Russia, the country implemented deregulation and privatization and opened up competition, allowing weapons production to scale up at an extraordinary pace.
Resistance within NATO
The Swedish minister also acknowledged that the question of Ukraine's future in NATO remains one of the most sensitive topics and that the defense bloc currently lacks consensus on it.
"I recognize that there are allies that are against it. But if you ask me for our position, that is our position," Jonson concluded.
Some NATO member states fear that moving too quickly toward Kyiv could provoke direct escalation with Russia or drag the alliance into an active phase of the war.
Recent decisions and statements by NATO
Earlier, Czech President Petr Pavel called on the North Atlantic Alliance to respond to Russian provocations with decisive and asymmetric actions.
A former NATO general proposed disconnecting Russian internet and satellite systems, cutting Russian banks off from international financial networks, and uncompromisingly shooting down aircraft that violate alliance airspace.
Also, the Czech leader actively warned allies about the devastating consequences of a bad peace for Ukraine.
At the same time, the alliance prepares for important diplomatic steps. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte officially announced that he had invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to participate in the Alliance leaders' summit, scheduled to be held in Ankara, Türkiye.
The corresponding official invitation has already been forwarded to Ukraine following a meeting of foreign ministers in Helsingborg.
