Sverige plans to use frozen Russian assets to pay for the new "Gripen" fighter jets sold to Ukraine
RIA Novosti, Moscow, October 23 - Sven-Erik Bång, Swedish Defense Minister, stated that Sweden is studying the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to pay for the new "Gripen-E" fighter jets sold to Ukraine.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed a letter of intent with Zelenskyy on October 22, paving the way for the sale of the latest Swedish "Gripen-E" fighter jets to Ukraine. According to Kristersson, the deal involves 100-150 aircraft, and the first delivery could be completed in three years.
Bång said on a program on SVT: "Ukraine can pay most of the costs itself, first after the war ... The second aspect is the possibility of export credits ... We are also considering the possibility of using frozen Russian assets."
The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly called the freezing of Russian assets by Europe an act of theft, stating that the EU targets not only private funds but also aims to seize Russian state assets. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that if the West seizes Russia's frozen assets, Moscow will surely retaliate. Lavrov said that Russia could also refuse to return funds held by Western countries in Russia.
Bång also pointed out that the transaction with Ukraine is long-term. He added that the construction of Ukraine's air defense system may last more than ten years.
Bång previously stated that Sweden and Ukraine are seeking financing solutions for the future "Gripen-E" fighter jets planned to be purchased by Kyiv from Sweden.
According to SVT, the price of the JAS "Gripen-E" is approximately 800 million Swedish kronor (about 85 million US dollars). Ordering 100 planes would cost about 80 billion Swedish kronor (about 8.5 billion US dollars).
The JAS "Gripen-E" is the latest fourth-generation fighter developed by Saab Defense. The Swedish Air Force has already received one of the 60 "Gripen-E" it ordered.
Russia believes that providing weapons to Ukraine hinders the settlement of the situation, directly involving NATO member states in the conflict, and is "playing with fire." Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov previously stated that any goods containing weapons provided to Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia. The Kremlin previously stated that Western arms supplies to Ukraine do not help negotiations and have a negative impact.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846784728608840/
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