Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, spoke out on Thursday, asserting that he doesn’t view purchasing U.S. weapons as a security risk. While acknowledging Sweden’s positive experience in collaborating with the U.S. defense industry, he also suggested that Europe might benefit from reducing its reliance on Washington for arms and defense equipment.
Kristersson’s remarks come amid growing concerns within Europe regarding its dependence on the United States, especially in light of NATO ally Canada’s recent decision to review its contract with Lockheed Martin for fighter jets. Canada’s move is a response to the trade tensions and security concerns arising from its relationship with the Trump administration.
At a European Union summit in Brussels, where leaders debated ways to strengthen Ukrainian and EU military capabilities, Kristersson responded to questions on whether purchasing U.S. arms could pose security risks. "No, I wouldn't say that at all," he remarked, highlighting the successful collaboration Sweden has had with the U.S. defense sector.
However, Kristersson did emphasize the need for Europe to bolster its own defense industry. "Both the Swedish defense industry and many other European countries would benefit from being less dependent on the U.S. defense industry," he noted, underscoring the importance of self-sufficiency in defense.
EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, also weighed in, urging EU leaders to back up their verbal support for Ukraine with tangible actions, especially as the U.S. pursues efforts to end the war in Ukraine through diplomatic engagement with Russia. The recent temporary halt in U.S. intelligence sharing and weapons shipments to Ukraine has raised concerns over the risks of becoming too reliant on American defense systems, further fueling the debate on European defense autonomy.
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