Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, has debunked claims that the West is “fatigued” in its support of Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
“We can’t speak about fatigue, because it’s an existential war – you can’t be fatigued when you’re fighting for your future, for your life … for global security order,” he said.
Shmyhal said this at a press conference in response to a question about “Ukraine fatigue” in the international community.
“I believe the United States will support Ukraine also, like the European Union, like Japan, like all the G7 countries and the IMF and all international financial organisations,” Shmyhal averred.
Nonetheless, Shmyhal sang the canticles of a worried leader, admitting that his country needs long-range missiles and other ammunition to repel Russian troops.
Shmyhal said that Ukraine has modern equipment and trained soldiers and is fighting at NATO standards, but the country needs more long-range missiles for air defence against Russia on the front line.
“Unfortunately, now they prevail in the air and unfortunately this leads to some consequences from the front line, but I should say that we have no refuses from our partners to supply military equipment to Ukraine,” he said.
Currently, ammunition shortages and limited manpower are causing Ukraine some serious losses on the battlefield.
Oleksiy Danilov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said that while the situation on the battlefield is hard, the situation on the eastern front is not catastrophic.
“We fight and will continue to fight,” he told a news outlet, adding, “We have only one request to our partners: to help with weapons, with ammunition, and with air defense.”
Sweden To Bolster Aid To Ukraine
In an announcement that is sure to be music in Ukraine’s ears, the Defence Minister of Sweden, Pal Jonson announced that his country will donate military aid to Ukraine worth about 7.1 billion Swedish crowns ($682 million).
The said aid package is the country’s largest contribution to date.
It will be Sweden’s 15th round of aid for Ukraine, taking the overall aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 to about 30 billion Swedish crowns.
The package includes around 2 billion crowns (£153m) worth of artillery ammunition, maritime assault vessels as well as anti-aircraft artillery and recoilless rifles.
As part of the package, Sweden will also earmark cash for the purchase of material through international Ukraine funds, and 1 billion crowns (£76m) for the purchase of around 10 new armoured combat vehicles that will be ready for delivery to Ukraine in 2026.
Jonson noted that the package meets some of Ukraine’s “most pressing needs and is in line with the military capability coalitions that are taking shape within the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.”
He asserted that Ukraine is not only defending its own freedom but that of all of Europe.
“Sweden will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Russia cannot be allowed to win this war,” Jonson added.
“The reason we are continuing to support Ukraine is a matter of humanity and decency. Russia started an illegal, unprovoked and indefensible war,” Jonson told a news conference.
The Swedish government also said the aid was essential to ensure the long-term security of the Nordic country.
Mikael Oscarsson of the Christian Democrats, a member of the coalition government, said that “there would be direct consequences for our own security if Putin were to win.”
While not a NATO member, Stockholm plays an important role in the pro-Ukraine coalition.
Swedish contributions to Kyiv have included Archer self-propelled artillery systems, CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, and Swedish variants of Leopard 2 tanks.
Sweden unveiled its previous package in October 2023, worth 2.2 billion Swedish kronor ($211 million) and consisting of artillery ammunition, spare parts, infantry equipment, and communications equipment.
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