The Prime Minister and Supreme Commander Michael Claesson met with the media on Monday in connection with a visit to the Defense Forces in Gothenburg. Both received questions about whether Sunday's still unconfirmed reports that the USA has given Ukraine permission to use American long-distance robots should be seen as an escalation of the war against Russia.
That should absolutely not be seen as that. Russia will naturally claim that, but it's not. Ukraine is defending itself against Russia and has every right to defend itself, entirely in accordance with all international law, says Ulf Kristersson (M).
I think we should have ice in our stomachs. We should not make any hasty decisions. We have as a country respect for the fact that it's only the USA that can make American decisions.
"Leveling of conditions"
The Supreme Commander agrees with the Prime Minister that the reports should not be seen as an escalation of the war – which is approaching 1,000 days since Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022.
The Russians would naturally claim that it would be an escalation. But in practice, it's not that, it's about leveling the conditions, says Michael Claesson.
Tough war situation
Claesson defines the current situation in the war as tough. If Ukraine were to gain access to robots that can reach farther, it would give the country greater opportunities to attack Russian soldiers and destroy Russian facilities.
It would mean the possibility for Ukraine to strike against both troop gatherings, logistics hubs, and production sites for, for example, drones or various facilities.
