Zelensky affirms that Ukraine has started talks with Sweden about the possibility of receiving Gripen fighters
Ukraine has started talks with Sweden on the possibility of receiving Gripen fighter jets to bolster its air defences, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after meeting Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at a government retreat in the outskirts of Stockholm this Saturday.
Zelensky’s visit is his first to Sweden since the invasion of Russia in February 2022. Talks on obtaining Gripen aircraft, which are at a preliminary stage, come after US approval for Denmark and the Netherlands Basses send F-19 fighters to Ukraine. “Today we discussed in detail the future steps regarding the possibility of opening the issue of receiving Swedish Gripens,” Zelenski said at a joint press conference with Kristersson.
In June, the Swedish government said it would give Ukrainian pilots a chance to test its Saab-made Gripen fighter jet, but also said it needs all its planes to defend Swedish territory. Zelenski has also affirmed this Saturday that the Ukrainian pilots have already begun training on the planes.
Kristersson has condemned the attack on Chernihiv that this morning has killed seven people and wounded 90 . “It only reinforces the need for us to support Ukraine in all its struggles,” Kristersson said.
Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with the speaker of the Swedish parliament, the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces and the leaders of Sweden’s main political parties, according to a Swedish government statement. Sweden has been helping Ukraine’s war efforts by supplying weapons such as tanks, anti-aircraft systems and armored infantry fighting vehicles.
