Sweden Donates $1.2 billion Aid Package to Ukraine

Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson speaks to the media on the day of the NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File
Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson speaks to the media on the day of the NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File
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Sweden Donates $1.2 billion Aid Package to Ukraine

Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson speaks to the media on the day of the NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File
Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson speaks to the media on the day of the NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File

Sweden's defence minister said on Thursday the Nordic country had agreed to donate its biggest aid package to Ukraine so far, worth 13.5 billion Swedish crowns ($1.23 billion).

The aid package is Sweden's 18th since Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to Reuters.

The government is now negotiating with suppliers in Sweden and Europe to supply prioritised equipment such as artillery and drones, Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a press conference.



Macron’s Message to Trump: ‘You Can’t Be Weak in the Face of Putin’ 

French President Emmanuel Macron waits for the arrival of guests for a second meeting on Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron waits for the arrival of guests for a second meeting on Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
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Macron’s Message to Trump: ‘You Can’t Be Weak in the Face of Putin’ 

French President Emmanuel Macron waits for the arrival of guests for a second meeting on Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron waits for the arrival of guests for a second meeting on Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron said he intends to tell Donald Trump that it's in the joint interest of Americans and Europeans not to “be weak” in the face of Russia's Vladimir Putin amid US-led negotiations to end the almost three-year war in Ukraine.

Macron is to travel to Washington to meet with Trump on Monday, the White House said.

In a one-hour question and answer session on his social media Thursday, Macron said he'll tell Trump: “You can’t be weak in the face of President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest. How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin?”

Trump's recent statements that echo Putin's narrative and plans to have direct negotiations with Moscow have left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried. But Macron suggested Trump's strategy to create “uncertainty” in talks with Russia could actually make Western allies stronger in these talks.

Putin “doesn’t know what he (Trump) is going to do, he thinks (Trump) is capable of anything,” Macron said. “This uncertainty is good for us and for Ukraine.”

Macron added he would seek to persuade Trump that US interests and Europeans’ interests are the same, telling him: “If you let Russia take over Ukraine, it would be unstoppable.”

That means any peace deal must be negotiated with Ukrainians and Europeans around the table, Macron reaffirmed.

"We want peace, but we don’t want a ceasefire that means Ukraine surrendering, because that’s dangerous. And we know that would lead to Russia going further. We’ve already experienced it," he said.

Macron also appeared ready to answer Trump's call to boost defense spending. “Us, Europeans, we must increase our war effort,” he said.

Asked about whether he's considering sending French troops to Ukraine, he said he would not send soldiers to fight in Ukraine but rather a security force meant to bring “guarantees” once a peace deal is achieved.

“We don't rule out, within a framework planned with our allies, the possibility of having forces which, once peace has been negotiated, could contribute to guaranteeing Ukraine’s security,” he said.