According to Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party), greater determination is required in at least three key issues: military support, new economic sanctions, and a strengthening of European security.
My conviction is that Europe must act more decisively. It is crucial to expand our military support to Ukraine. It is our job to put them in as strong a military position as possible, says Kristersson to TT's correspondent.
The statement comes just a few days before Donald Trump is sworn in as the new President of the United States on Monday.
Despite concerns about reduced support for Ukraine under the new-old President, Olaf Scholz – who has spoken to Trump twice since he won the presidential election – believes that American support will remain in place.
I do not expect a break in American support for Ukraine's defense, says Scholz.
Scholz Criticized
Chancellor Scholz received Ulf Kristersson at the German government's Bundeskanzleramt – a stone's throw from the parliament in Berlin – for a visit on Friday.
The agenda included a range of security policy issues, not least the situation in Ukraine.
After the USA, Germany is Ukraine's most important contributor, and Scholz has also previously claimed that Europe must do more.
However, criticism at home has been harsh against the Chancellor after he seemingly hesitated about a new gigantic support package – worth over 30 billion kronor – which may thus come to nothing.
"Ukraine Decides"
Almost three years after the war broke out, Pete Hegseth, Trump's intended Defense Minister, said earlier in the week that the war must come to an end.
Neither Ulf Kristersson nor Olaf Scholz dares predict whether a peace agreement can be reached in 2025. But both emphasize the importance of an agreement being made on Ukraine's terms.
It is Ukraine that decides when the time is right for negotiations or not. No talks about Ukraine without Ukraine. We will support Ukraine as long as it is needed, says Ulf Kristersson.
