Extra supplementary budget for 2023 - Defense materiel for Ukraine

Edward Riedl (M)

Madam Speaker! Today, the Swedish Parliament debates and decides on the eleventh military support package from Sweden to Ukraine. It concerns heavy military equipment that will significantly strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself against the Russian aggressor.

It makes me proud that it is a united Riksdag that will stand behind this decision. It shows the strength and determination of Swedish democracy and the ability to unite when times become difficult. We also show the rest of the world that the Swedish support for Ukraine is strong and will be enduring over time.

The past year has made it very clear that we cannot take anything for granted, not even peace and freedom here in our immediate vicinity.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine must continue to be at the top of the agenda. It is an unprovoked and unjustifiable war that is also being conducted in an illegal and contrary to international law manner. Russia repeatedly attacks civilian targets that lack military purposes.

With a war in Europe and the European security order seriously damaged, we find ourselves in one of the most insecure and dangerous times since the Second World War. Russia's actions have resulted in a fundamentally deteriorated security situation in our immediate vicinity which will most likely persist for a long time to come.

That the invasion has been ongoing for a year must not mean that we get used to this. It must not become a normal state, because it is not. The normal state should never be war, but peace and freedom in a free Europe. Let us never forget this!

Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the government, both the former and the current, has announced several military support packages to Ukraine. There has been a significant change in the type of support Sweden provides, from protective equipment in the first decision to more advanced weapons systems and ammunition for these in the decision we are making today.

Madam Speaker! The support package that we are deciding on today is the eleventh in order. The eleven military support packages to Ukraine that have been presented by the government so far amount to over 17 billion kronor. Of these, 6 billion kronor are included in the extra supplementary budget that we are deciding on today.

In this package, the government will donate equipment that ranks high on Ukraine's list of requested support. Ukraine has stated that air defense systems, long-range precision strike capabilities, and various types of combat vehicles and tanks are particularly urgent.

The government will therefore donate parts of the HAWK air defense system, here in Sweden called eldenhet 97. In addition to this, we intend to, in cooperation with Germany, ensure that Ukraine can gain access to additional air defense systems in the form of IRIS-T.

In this extra supplementary budget, there is also an authorization to, among other things, donate previously announced main battle tanks of the Leopard 2 type, in Sweden called stridsvagn 122, as well as to allocate funds for the replacement of military materiel.

The Swedish main battle tanks reinforce the contribution of Leopard 2 that other European countries are providing. Coordination of the support is ongoing with international partners who are donating Leopard 2 or other main battle tanks.

The government has also announced a strategic cooperation with the United Kingdom in support of Ukraine. The cooperation aims, among other things, to improve logistics and maintenance of the Archer pieces that Sweden will donate to Ukraine. The cooperation includes an authorization to sell a number of Archer pieces to the United Kingdom, which in turn enables the donation of AS 90 artillery systems from the United Kingdom to Ukraine.

This cooperation with the United Kingdom means that both Sweden's and the United Kingdom's support for Ukraine can increase further. Artillery such as Archer together with combat vehicles and main battle tanks increase Ukraine's defense capability and also enable Ukraine to retake lost territory.

Since several Archer B pieces were taken over from Norway in 2016, the State has been looking for a strategic partner for the Archer system. The cooperation with the United Kingdom aims to find opportunities for joint development of the system including cost-sharing, cooperation at the unit level, faster integration into Nato command systems, and more. The defense benefit of the sale is therefore also considerable.

Madam Speaker! The military part is of utmost importance, but let us not forget the extensive civilian and humanitarian effort that Sweden also contributes.

Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, just over a year ago, Sweden has contributed over 4.3 billion kronor to humanitarian and civil aid. This includes, among other things, increased aid through support to humanitarian organizations, support to promote the opportunities and rights of women and girls, and civil crisis management in the form of donations of, for example, medical supplies, fire protection, generators, and tents.

Sweden also contributes support for Ukraine's reform work and reconstruction. To date, the government has supported Ukraine with approximately 650 million kronor for efforts towards Ukraine's reconstruction. This includes, among other things, support for the sustainable reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure via the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Approximately 120 million kronor have been allocated to measures to support girls and women in Ukraine and Moldova. The support is intended to promote the opportunities and rights of women and girls as well as to counter sexual and gender-based violence.

Furthermore, 600 million kronor will go to investments within the energy sector, Ukrainian agriculture, the education sector, and the housing sector to strengthen Ukraine's resilience more long-term.

These are just a few examples of the civilian and humanitarian support that Sweden also contributes. It is extremely important, because without roads, equality, energy, food, education and housing, it is not possible to build up a functioning society again.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker - the Russian military advance must be stopped. And right now, it is Ukraine that is Europe's shield against this advance. Ukraine's war is therefore also Sweden's war. The defense of Ukraine is our time's greatest security policy challenge.

What I have told about here today is only some of the parts of the extensive support from Sweden to Ukraine and to the war-affected and hard-fighting people in Ukraine. I feel, as a Swede, proud of the significant efforts we contribute. And I feel, as a politician in this assembly, Sweden's Riksdag, proud of the broad consensus with which we can make these decisions.

With this, Madam Speaker, I move for approval of the committee's proposal in the report.

(Applause)

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Mikael Damberg (S)

Madam Speaker! In Ukraine, the worst war in our Europe since the Second World War is being fought right now. The Russian warfare in Ukraine is brutal. Stories of sexual violence, torture, deportations, and executions of the civilian population follow in the wake of the Russian troops.

The Russian leadership also seems to be prepared to accept enormous own losses of both materiel and soldiers. Human lives are obviously valued very lowly in the pursuit of geopolitical gains.

The Russian invasion of a peaceful, democratic neighboring country can never be tolerated, and we must continue to stand up for Ukraine's right to defend its sovereignty and integrity. But Russia's war in Ukraine is about more than that. It is a confrontation with the entire democratic West, the European security order, and international law. At its core, it is a conflict of values, where democracy is pitted against authoritarian rule or dictatorship. And the security policy tensions will persist for a long time to come.

That Ukraine's cause is our cause is more than just a slogan. The development of the war in Ukraine is directly decisive for the security policy situation even in Sweden. We shall continue to support Ukraine in all ways we can - economically, humanitarily and militarily. And we shall do what we can to ensure that Russia is held accountable for the war crimes committed in Ukraine.

Madam Speaker! The Ukrainian people have shown a heroic resilience. At the same time, continued support and weapon deliveries from the West are absolutely crucial for the Ukrainian defense to manage to stand up against the Russian troops. The support for Ukraine is broad, both in Sweden's Riksdag and internationally. Several countries are now taking steps to assist Ukraine with increasingly advanced weapon systems.

With today's decision, further steps are also taken here in Sweden. This includes, among other things, donating defense materiel in the form of main battle tanks, artillery pieces, and missile systems - a proposal that we Social Democrats stand behind completely. I am pleased that there is a broad consensus here in the Riksdag to continue supporting Ukraine. It is a prerequisite for the support to be sustained and long-term, and it is a strength for Sweden.

Let me also emphasize the importance of continuing the buildup of the defense here in Sweden. We need to continue building up our civil and military preparedness. Even in these matters, there is broad political consensus. The new government continues the realignment of Swedish defense policy that began during Stefan Löfven's time in government. We are currently carrying out the largest buildup of the military defense since the 1950s, and we have agreed that defense expenditures shall amount to 2 percent of GDP. Yesterday, the Riksdag voted by a large majority for Swedish membership in Nato.

Madam Speaker! Russia's invasion of a democratic, independent country poses a threat to the security of all of Europe. We must continue to support Ukraine, and we must continue to build up a strong Swedish people's defense so that we, together with other countries, can defend our democracy and freedom.

With this, I move for the approval of the committee's proposal.

(Applause)

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Charlotte Quensel (SD)

Madam Speaker! Within the EU, plans are now being made for how we shall together rebuild Ukraine after the war. There is a desire that Ukrainians should be able to live safely and freely as soon as possible in a Ukraine that is being rebuilt to one day become a part of the EU.

Russia's mental and physical destruction of the Ukrainian people will leave marks that will likely never disappear. The Russian military uses murder, rape, looting, torture, and regular acts of terror against the civilian population. In the areas that the Ukrainian defense has liberated, we see the traces of the Russians' systematic abuses. Tens of thousands of war crimes await investigation so that the guilty can be brought to justice, and the International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued an arrest warrant against President Putin.

Unfortunately, we are not here in the chamber to debate support for reconstruction. The Ukrainians are still fighting for their country's right to exist. This afternoon, we will therefore vote for further military support to Ukraine. We in Sweden stand ready to provide our most advanced military assets, such as Robotsystem 97, Artillerisystem Archer, and Stridsvagn 122, with a value of over 6 billion. Our contribution, including what we have previously sent, now amounts to over 17 billion kronor. Hopefully, Sweden's contribution, together with other countries' military contributions, will help the Ukrainian defense to stand up against Russia's attacks.

It is pleasing that we here in the Swedish Riksdag agree on our will to help Ukraine, whether it is humanitarian, economic or military. What is, however, worrying are certain debate entries in Swedish media about that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia, that NATO's expansion eastward, with Poland and Hungary, was wrong and has provoked Russia, and that Sweden's arms deliveries are the wrong approach and fuel the war.

Russia wants to seize Ukraine's territory and erase its national identity. Ukrainian soldiers are sacrificing their lives in the fight to save their country and their people from Russia's terror. Only Ukraine has the right to decide if and when it wants to negotiate with Putin. The task of free countries is to provide unreserved support to Ukraine.

Russia's reason for perceiving NATO's expansion as provocative is that countries belonging to NATO's community are harder to invade and subjugate. That is precisely why a militarily strong NATO is needed. It is probably the only thing that can deter aggressive states like Russia.

Is it right of Sweden to send weapons to Ukraine? Yes, our European neighbor is pleading for military means. We have technically advanced systems that can make a difference by protecting and saving Ukrainian lives. Our contribution to Ukraine can be decisive for the country's continued existence.

Madam Speaker! Ukraine's war is Europe's war. Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. On that same day, Germany should have stopped its greedy pursuit of Russian gas. But on the contrary, the demands for more Russian gas increased, and yet another gas pipeline was realized in the Baltic Sea.

Many of us considered it a crazy decision. Now we see that some countries' great dependence on Russia has come at a very high price, both for Ukraine and for the EU.

The Sweden Democrats fully support Ukraine and its people. Today's support is something we have requested and welcome. The free world and future generations have everything to gain from Russia being forced to withdraw from Ukraine.

In conclusion, I would like to vote in favor of the committee's proposal in the report.

(Applause)

In this speech, Mattias Eriksson Falk, David Perez and Johnny Svedin (all SD) concurred.

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Ali Esbati (V)

Madam Speaker! Vänsterpartiet supports the government's bill and the committee's report. There is a consensus in the Riksdag that advanced and heavy weapons systems and ammunition for this materiel should be transferred to Ukraine and, as a consequence, that the government be authorized to re-acquire materiel for the Swedish defense.

The illegal and unacceptable Russian war of aggression and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine have caused enormous suffering for people in our neighborhood and fundamentally changed the security policy situation in our region. Against this immense violence, Ukraine is now defending itself in an existential struggle.

I repeat what I have said earlier in the chamber in connection with extraordinary supplementary budgets concerning military support for this war effort. The Left Party's approach is both principled and concrete. Sweden's freedom and self-determination ultimately rest on a combination of, on one hand, our own will to defend and defense capability and, on the other hand, an international order with respect for international law, which Russia has now flagrantly violated and continues to violate with its war of aggression.

Support for Ukraine is genuine and important for several reasons - because we have a responsibility for the international rule of law, because we should show solidarity with an attacked people in our immediate vicinity, and because the various effects of the Russian war of aggression affect our own country to a great extent.

The support for Ukraine must, of course, be long-term and multifaceted. What we are making decisions about today is military support. But different forms of economic, political, and institutional support now and in the future will be of great importance. Of very great importance is also that people fleeing can find sanctuary in Sweden, with reasonable conditions that offer good paths into the community of Swedish society.

There are, and of course will continue to be, many challenges for Ukrainian society. Like all other countries, there are contradictions, differing interests, and diverging visions for the future. But none of this can unfold or be realized when the country's very existence is threatened by Russian national-chauvinistic expansionism. The actions of the Russian state must not be accepted or normalized. Today, it is Ukraine that is being hit, and we as a country have the opportunity to contribute to ensuring that their struggle, which is terribly costly in every conceivable way, can finally be successful.

In the very sensitive situation we find ourselves in, it naturally becomes particularly important for the government and the Riksdag to take responsibility for strengthening Sweden's own capability for total defense, including with direct military means. Therefore, it is crucial that the decision we make today also is based on the Armed Forces' assessment of which materiel can be spared in the short term and that this materiel can be promptly replaced. That is also how the report is designed, which is why we in Vänsterpartiet as said fully stand behind it.

Let me conclude by stating very briefly that we are making this decision the day after the decision on Swedish membership in Nato – a decision and, not least, a process that we were really not in agreement on. We make different assessments of how Sweden's freedom, self-determination, and national interests can best be protected in the future in an uncertain world. But we are, therefore, in complete agreement that what is happening in Ukraine has profound implications for precisely these values – Sweden's freedom, self-determination, and national interests – and that, regardless of the view on future military alliances, we shall have our own and clear position in the face of Russia's war of aggression. We are, therefore, also in complete agreement on today's consideration regarding defense materiel to Ukraine, something that in today's concrete situation is reassuring and valuable.

I vote in favor of the committee's proposal in the report.

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Martin Ådahl (C)

Madam Speaker! I want to start by saying: Thank you to everyone listening to this debate in different forms! I also want to direct a thank you to everyone who is engaging in Ukraine, who go to demonstrations and who write debate articles and not least to those who help in different ways to support Ukrainian refugees and Ukrainian families who have been forced to flee to Sweden. I really want to emphasize this. Thank you for everything you do and continue to do! I actually also want to direct a thank you to the government. And thank you, the Swedish Riksdag, that we are now deciding to deliver the weapons that Ukraine needs!

It is the Stridsvagn 122 - or Leopard, as it is called. It is one of the world's most powerful tanks. They are artillery pieces of type Archer and robot systems 97.

This is something that we from Centerpartiet have long requested, and we stand behind this committee report and decision with strength and conviction.

Mr. Speaker, I must add something here: It is not enough. That is what President Zelenskyy says. That is what the Ukrainian government says. And that is what those who daily risk their lives to defend our freedom and to defend Europe on Ukraine's fields say. They say: Thank you, with all our hearts! But much more was needed, because Ukraine must win this war.

They have stood up to one of the world's largest military powers for a year. It is a fantastic feat. It is an improbable ingenuity on many levels, and it is an unimaginable heroism. But of course, it is victory that counts. It is about us defeating the evil and the unadulterated contempt for humanity that Vladimir Putin and his henchmen constitute, and about us stopping the slaughter of civilians and the abduction of children, which also, as a bonus, drives the Russian people to ruin.

Then our role in Sweden and the West has become such that we must send more weapons and more money if this is to succeed.

Ukraine tells us this: Start training pilots in Jas now, so that Jas can fly over Ukraine's yellow fields by the autumn! Speed up the deliveries! Send more ammunition! Lay out a plan so that Russia knows that we in Europe and in the West will relentlessly produce more and more weapons systems and ammunition and continue to deliver! It is excellent that the cooperation has been strengthened, among other things today with this package, but it is necessary that the Armed Forces are reimbursed for everything that we are now sending to Ukraine so that they can continue to build our capability ahead of our accession to Nato, among other things. But every weapon that we send to Ukraine in itself reduces the Kremlin regime's capacity for military aggression and thus makes Sweden safer.

Send more money! I will not say it in Ukrainian, but I will say it in English: Send more money! The USA and the multilateral organizations - IMF, the World Bank, EBRD and so on - have mobilized hundreds of billions of dollars, and it is absolutely fantastic! The government has responded to our and others' plea to jointly borrow the equivalent of 180 billion kronor to be able to send them as a loan to Ukraine. But Ukraine is bleeding due to the war effort and the terrible shocks that continue every day against Ukraine's economy and not least its energy supply. The production apparatus cannot deliver the revenues, so they are still bleeding over the equivalent of 50 billion kronor every month. The gap in financing is estimated at 350 billion kronor in this year alone, 2023.

Therefore, everyone must give more. Estonia, under its brilliant prime minister, has given 1 percent of the small country's GDP. Norway, with significantly larger resources, has also reached towards 1 percent of GDP. This package represents a large increase from a quarter of a percent to approximately one-third of a percent of our country's GDP, but we can do better! Perhaps not three times more, like Estonia's level, but twice as much. We have a low national debt, so it creates no inflation in Sweden. It rather dampens inflation in Ukraine. Sweden should take the lead in this aid effort and show other countries. Imagine if everyone could follow Estonia's example! Then Ukraine would be both militarily and economically secure.

As it stands now, the aid is also being hampered by Ukraine's ability to manage the different donors and the requests, which are very fragmented. They also have ideas that we in Europe must have a common plan, roughly like a Marshall Plan, a coordination placed not only in Brussels but also in Kyiv, which helps them navigate the support and facilitate its delivery. As the chair of the EU, Sweden has a role in all these functions.

I also want to mention that Sweden should increase the compensation to the Ukrainian refugees, who have fallen between different systems and who are now living on so little money that it creates insecurity. Fathers are fighting at the front in Ukraine, and so the family has nothing to live on in Sweden. This is something we must be able to manage.

Finally: The Ukrainian elected leadership says that it both wants to and can win the war, provided we make the final efforts continuously during this year so that they can win. They also say that they want to ensure that the money never again goes to corruption and that one enters the path to the EU. But for this, we on our side must show the way as the chair of the EU and thus manage to do more, in addition to the excellent package we have today.

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Hans Eklind (KD)

Madam Speaker! Tomorrow it will be 13 months since Russia invaded Ukraine, a Ukraine that has since been fighting day and night for its freedom and its independence but, in the long run, also for Europe's security.

Ukraine needs both weapons and ammunition. The government, both the previous and the current, has shown and continues to show a great commitment and has sent large weapons packages and humanitarian packages to Ukraine.

Madam Speaker! Today we are to make another such important decision, the eleventh in order, today to a value of 6.3 billion kronor. In February we made a similar decision, then to a value of 4.3 billion kronor. In total, these eleven military support packages now have a value of approximately 17 billion kronor.

With our decision today, we authorize the government to donate defense materiel to Ukraine in the form of tank 122, artillery pieces of the type Archer and robot system 97, as well as ammunition for this materiel.

Madam Speaker! In addition to the joy that we can make this decision here, we are continuously reached by news of how other countries and the EU are showing a clear and decisive commitment but also perseverance and coordination.

Two weeks ago, the EU's defense ministers gathered for an informal meeting here in Stockholm. At that time, joint purchases of ammunition were discussed, but also stimulating the defense industry to increase its production. In my home county, Örebro län, lies Karlskoga and the ammunition factory formerly owned by Bofors. Ammunition that can make a difference for the Ukrainian army is still produced there, which has so clearly indicated that it is precisely this that they have a very great need of now.

Today's decision here in the Swedish Riksdag is made unanimously. It shows that we in Sweden do not yield a single millimeter from our position of not hesitating to support the Ukrainian women and men who, with their lives at stake, defend their territory and the country's independence and, in the long run, Europe's security.

I vote in favor of the committee's proposal in the report.

(Applause)

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Janine Alm Ericson (MP)

Madam Speaker! It has now been over a year since we debated the first support package for Ukraine. Since then, Sweden's response and support have been unanimous and strong. As has already been said, it is very good and a very clear signal that it also continues so.

Well, over a year ago, many of us were in shock that something like Russia's invasion of Ukraine could actually happen. But we also noted very quickly that an attack against a democracy is an attack against democracy everywhere. As has been said here earlier today, Ukraine's cause is also our cause, partly because they are our neighbors, partly because they are fighting this war for us. Therefore, we must also be very clear in our support.

We can never accept that the strong takes by right over the weak. In the international system, all states are inviolable, and we must hold fast to the international legal order and international law. It is also very good that the support for Ukraine is not only large here in Sweden but also in Europe and in the USA. We must continue to hold on and hold out, just as Ukraine is forced to do.

But we can also do more. We must do more. Something that we have also pointed out since the very first debate is that we must cut off Putin's money taps. We continue to finance the war by purchasing fossil fuels. Just last week, new Russian gas arrived in Sweden. It is completely unacceptable. We cannot, with one hand, support and provide package after package – which we absolutely will do – and at the same time undermine it by giving Putin more money for the war chest. It has decreased, but it must come to an end.

Extra supplementary budget for 2023 - Defense materiel to Ukraine

We also cannot just help on the spot. Those who remain and fight for Ukraine's freedom and those who are there and as soon as possible rebuild what Russian forces have destroyed must also feel secure that their families and friends who have fled are safe and secure. Yes, we provide asylum in Sweden, and I am very proud of that, but we force those who have fled here to live on subsistence minimum. It is completely unacceptable that we have such a low level of provision for those who have fled here. It is below the subsistence minimum, and it should at least be at the same level.

Our message is to provide continued strong support to Ukraine, that we do more and ensure that they win the war. But we must also stop financing Putin, and we must support those who are here and who have fled the horrors of war in a significantly better way. Slava Ukraini!

The deliberation was hereby concluded.

(Decisions were made under § 15.)

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