Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson was the host when heads of state from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Poland met at the Swedish Prime Minister’s official country home Harpsund, ten miles southwest of Stockholm. In a joint statement, they state that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security.
– In the coming months, we will increase our support, including to the Ukrainian defense industry, and we will make investments to make more ammunition available to Ukraine, they write in the statements.
– Rational, pragmatic and selfish
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk pointed out at a joint press conference that support for Ukraine is also selfish.
– Our support for Ukraine is rational, pragmatic and selfish. It is not only principled, said Tusk.
He emphasized that the support for Ukraine is important and said that the Ukrainians safeguard our security through the fight against the Russian invasion.
– If Ukraine loses, we all lose, the former EU president continued. In the new year, he and Poland will have a central role in the EU when the country takes over the presidency of the EU.
Read also: Tusk says Ukraine support is selfish: – If Ukraine loses, we all lose
– Agree to step up quickly
Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen said at the same press conference that “the steps we have taken so far are not enough” for Ukraine.
– We have today agreed to step up quickly to invest directly in Ukraine’s defense industry and give them what they need, says Frederiksen at a joint press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
– It is necessary because we must understand – even if it is difficult for us Europeans to understand – that Russia does not want peace. And if we want a free Europe, we must give Ukraine what it needs on the battlefield now, says Frederiksen.
Protects power supply
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) also agreed with Frederiksen’s words to step up support for, among other things, the defense industry in Ukraine.
– In Norway, we will soon have a broad parliamentary agreement in place to increase support for Ukraine and support their ability to defend themselves, Støre said when he was given the floor.
He pointed out that the support for Ukrainian defense industry takes this work forward to the next generation.
– Another dimension is to support Ukraine in the protection of the country’s electrical infrastructure. We know that Russia is strategically going after this nerve in the Ukrainian economy, said Støre, who emphasized that we must stand up for Ukraine in this difficult time.
Read also: Støre: – We don’t threaten anyone, and we don’t allow ourselves to be threatened either
– Does not threaten anyone and does not allow us to be threatened
He also pointed out that the Nordics and the Baltics cover a region that stretches from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea.
– This is a group of countries that do not threaten anyone, but we will not allow anyone to threaten us. That is why it is very useful to come together and agree on how to proceed, concluded Støre.
Tusk also appreciated that community.
– I strongly feel that we have a common position. There is a visible solidarity and a common way of thinking. We want to act together and know better than ever that we are stronger together, he said about his own participation in the meeting in Harpsund.
Read also: Expert on the new Trump effect in NATO: – That is my great fear (+)