By Leila Nezirevic
LONDON (AA) - Defense Minister Pal Jonson said Thursday that Sweden wants to establish a presence in Ukraine by stationing a Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) to assist that country in purchasing weapons.
The FMV, which reports directly to the Defense Ministry, is likely to start to establish a presence in the war-torn country as early as the fall, Jonson said at a news conference in Stockholm.
“We are taking measures so that Ukraine can gain access to newly produced defense equipment,” he said.
Jonson pointed out that Sweden and other Western countries are running out of weapons to donate to Ukraine.
The initiative will ensure future support for Ukraine will be to a greater extent in the form of financial donations to purchase weapons.
“It is to intensify support for Ukraine in a situation where we will go from donating material from the Armed Forces' warehouses to production of newly produced defense material,” he said, adding that the initiative must take place without "weakening our own operational capability."
Jonson denied that the measures could mean an increased security risk for Sweden.
“Now these are civilians and not military personnel. We have a defense attache in Ukraine, and there is nothing strange about that. These are government officials who will work closely with the Ukrainian authorities.
“I know that Russia sometimes tries to intimidate and threaten other countries. But the measures we take are fully in line with international law. It is Russia that has started this illegal war,” he added.
Sweden has sent 16 support packages to Ukraine at a total of 43.5 billion of Swedish kroner ($4.2 billion).
Jonson also announced that legislation enabling a Defense Cooperation Agreement will take effect Thursday.
The agreement regulates conditions for a strengthened American presence in Sweden and gives the US the opportunity to use Swedish military bases.