Sweden supports the idea of ​​transferring Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine: “This is the way to peace”

Sweden supports the strengthening of Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, in particular the possibility of transferring American Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, and considers it a “path to peace.” This was stated by Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson in an interview with RFE/RL after a Rammstein-style meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on October 16.

“Sweden’s position is very simple. According to international law, Ukraine has the full right to defend itself both on its territory and abroad. Russia is the aggressor in this war, that is obvious and indisputable,” Jonson said.

According to him, the strengthening of Ukrainian long-range capabilities, including the possible Tomahawk, is not an escalation, but a necessary condition for ending the war.

“We will only welcome if other states strengthen Ukrainian long-range capabilities, because this is absolutely critical – and it is, in fact, the way to peace. Strengthening the defense of Ukraine and increasing sanctions – this is what can force Russia to sit down at the negotiating table. So far, she has not shown any serious interest in negotiations,” he emphasized.

The minister also emphasized that during the discussion, not a single NATO member state objected to the idea of ​​strengthening Ukraine’s long-range potential.

“I don’t want to speak for everyone, but I haven’t heard any concerns or objections to Ukraine having the right to defend itself both inside and outside its territory, or to being given long-range strike capabilities,” the Swedish minister said.

Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, when asked by journalists whether Germany will buy packages of American weapons for Ukraine if they have Tomahawk missiles, said that Berlin will make a decision on this after Washington agrees to supply these missiles to Kyiv.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski told The Guardian that fears that the transfer of long-range Tomahawk missiles would contribute to the escalation of the conflict are unfounded.

“Every time we intended to provide Ukraine with new missiles, new types of weapons, someone said: “Don’t do it, it will lead to escalation. Don’t send them tanks. Don’t give them MiG fighters. Don’t give them the F-16. Don’t give them HIMARS (missiles), don’t give them ATACMS (missiles).” And each time Russia was forced to adapt,” he said.

US President Donald Trump suggested that during the meeting on October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi would ask for the supply of Tomahawk missiles. “He needs a weapon, he would like a Tomahawk. We have a lot of Tomahawks,” he said, without clarifying whether a decision had been made to supply these missiles to Ukraine.

On October 7, Trump confirmed that he does not rule out supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles if Russia does not stop the war against Ukraine. At the same time, he noted that he first intends to discuss this issue with the leader of the Russian Federation.

On October 2, Russian leader Putin warned that the delivery of the Tomahawks would constitute an “absolutely new stage of escalation” between Washington and Moscow. Nevertheless, he claimed that they did not pose a serious threat to the country.