SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Ulf Kristersson: May Need to Quickly Increase Defense Spending

Europe must expand its military support to Ukraine. This is claimed by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Germany's Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a joint press conference in Berlin. Many of us will need to be prepared to quickly expand our public defense budgets, says Ulf Kristersson.

» Published: January 17 2025

Ulf Kristersson: May Need to Quickly Increase Defense Spending
Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/TT

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.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Suspected Rape at Swimming Center – Man Detained
1 MIN READ

Suspected Rape at Swimming Center – Man Detained

MP: Unacceptable for teachers to search bags
2 MIN READ

MP: Unacceptable for teachers to search bags

Schools to be given the right to search students' bags
2 MIN READ

Schools to be given the right to search students' bags

Received electric shock through body - seriously injured
1 MIN READ

Received electric shock through body - seriously injured

Confidentiality Agreement for Those Who Restore Risbergska
2 MIN READ

Confidentiality Agreement for Those Who Restore Risbergska

Investigation into the murder of UN Swede dropped
2 MIN READ

Investigation into the murder of UN Swede dropped

Scammers exploit Örebro massacre
1 MIN READ

Scammers exploit Örebro massacre

The Foreign Minister is Criticized: Fails to Mention Trump
3 MIN READ

The Foreign Minister is Criticized: Fails to Mention Trump

Physical violence during sex widespread among young people
1 MIN READ

Physical violence during sex widespread among young people

Customs makes record-breaking drug seizures
1 MIN READ

Customs makes record-breaking drug seizures

More people lost their driver's license
1 MIN READ

More people lost their driver's license

The Mass Murderer's Economy Mapped
1 MIN READ

The Mass Murderer's Economy Mapped

The Police Union: Support must remain for a long time
2 MIN READ

The Police Union: Support must remain for a long time

Sweden is no longer a priority terrorist target
3 MIN READ

Sweden is no longer a priority terrorist target

Polarization between the sexes threatens demographics
1 MIN READ

Polarization between the sexes threatens demographics

Pleasure Boats in Distress Behind Most Sea Rescue Operations
2 MIN READ

Pleasure Boats in Distress Behind Most Sea Rescue Operations

Asteroid on its way – how great is the risk of collision
2 MIN READ

Asteroid on its way – how great is the risk of collision

Missing Skater Found Dead
1 MIN READ

Missing Skater Found Dead

Weeks or months before Risbergska can open
2 MIN READ

Weeks or months before Risbergska can open

Russia more offensive and risk-taking
2 MIN READ

Russia more offensive and risk-taking