The issue has been raised early and much is unclear at present, several of the parliamentary parties are careful to point out.
But still, they do not object to a potential Swedish contribution to a peacekeeping effort in Ukraine – given that a peace is reached that Ukraine can agree to and that Ukraine says yes to such an effort.
We have nothing in principle against it, we rule out nothing, says the Social Democrats' defense policy spokesperson Peter Hultqvist about Sweden being able to contribute with soldiers to a peacekeeping effort.
Want to participate
The government has signaled that Sweden in one way or another wants to contribute to a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) has talked about naval forces or air surveillance. And on a direct question, Defense Minister Pål Jonsson (The Moderate Party) has not ruled out participation with Swedish soldiers.
To send an armed force abroad generally requires the Riksdag's approval.
And now the government is backed by all parliamentary parties.
”The Sweden Democrats rule out nothing at present. However, it must be clear under what conditions and forms a potential effort takes place”, writes The Sweden Democrats in a comment.
The Left Party's Håkan Svenneling does not want to commit himself before there is a concrete proposal on the table.
But as a direction, this is something we are cautiously positive to, he says.
See several risks
Center Party's Kerstin Lundgren describes Russia as very risk-prone and that it is therefore important with a credible effort together with other countries, where the USA also contributes.
Participation in such an effort should take place on a voluntary basis. We have strong defense will in Sweden and much to contribute with, and good routines and experiences from previous foreign efforts, she says.
Nor does the Green Party's defense policy spokesperson Emma Berginger rule out Swedish participation.
Something is needed that deters Russia from continuing the aggression, she says.
Under what mandate a force would operate is difficult to say at present. Russia would likely react negatively to a NATO effort, emphasize several, and therefore the discussions should continue about a possible UN mandate and in the format "Coalition of the Willing", led by France and the United Kingdom.
At the same time, several risks are pointed out with sending foreign personnel. If Russia breaks the peace, the conflict risks escalating and spreading outside Ukrainian territory.
