Ukraine to produce Swedish CV90 combat vehicles – Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy said this in his evening video address.

"We are finishing this visit to the Nordic countries. Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark. Without exaggeration, this is a historic visit for Ukraine. Much-needed agreements with Sweden were reached, including defense agreements. We will produce CV90 - powerful combat vehicles - in Ukraine," the president emphasized.

According to Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian military is very satisfied with these vehicles.

Representatives of the two countries signed a declaration of intent to jointly produce and maintain Swedish Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicles.

During his flight from Scandinavia to Greece, the Ukrainian leader thanked Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

"Our common priority - of all Europeans - is that all peoples on all continents can enjoy a secure life equally. The more stability there is in the world, the more stability there is in our European home. In all three countries, we talked about new defense support packages for soldiers and political cooperation. I would like to especially thank Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark for their support of the Peace Formula. Peace is always the result of joint efforts. It is always security in all spheres of life. And it will be: for Ukraine, for the world. Russia will not succeed in breaking global security," he emphasized.

He also thanked the United States for its support of Ukrainian freedom and the aviation coalition.

What is known about the assistance from Sweden

Last week, the Swedish parliament supported further military aid to Ukraine. The new package, worth 314 million euros, includes ammunition and demining equipment.

On Saturday, August 19, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Sweden for a work visit.

On August 19, the leaders of Sweden and Ukraine agreed to enhance cooperation in the production, operation, training and maintenance of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.

F-16 fighters for Ukraine

• On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory.

• Defense Ministry adviser Yuriy Sak said that Ukraine hopes to receive the first modern American F-16 fighters in the fall of 2023.

• On May 25, at a meeting in the Ramstein format, it was announced that the coalition to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces with F-16s would be led by Denmark and the Netherlands and would include four other countries: Norway, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. 

• On June 14, one of the leaders of the "aviation coalition," the Netherlands, announced that training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s would begin in the coming months.

• On June 15, following the Ramstein meeting, Stoltenberg said that training on the F-16 had already begun. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin noted the rapid progress in this area, and a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force said that they wanted a quick result, but that "the process is delayed."

• On June 22, Denmark requested assistance from the United States to train Ukrainian pilots in the use of F-16 fighters.

• On July 1, President Zelenskyy mentioned that the schedule for training Ukrainian pilots on Western F-16 fighter jets has not been finalized yet, and some foreign partners are causing delays.

• Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the first F-16 fighter jets are likely to fly in Ukraine's skies by the end of March 2024.

• On Sunday, July 16, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US would not postpone training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, and Biden allowed European countries to start training.

• On August 11, it was reported that the first group of Ukrainian pilots would complete training on F-16 fighter jets no earlier than next summer. The start of combat training will be preceded by 4-month language courses.

• Subsequently, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi met with the Chief of Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces in Ukraine. Among the topics discussed was pilot training on F-16 fighter jets.

• And Romanian President Klaus Iohannis confirmed that the country will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s: a regional training center will be opened there.

• Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat announced on August 17 that Ukraine won't be able to get F-16 fighters from Western allies during the upcoming fall or winter. Therefore, the focus will be on bolstering air defense capabilities. Concurrently, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed optimism about the prospect of providing F-16s to Ukraine, while Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hinted at forthcoming positive news.

• On August 20 Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to the Netherlands to discuss the supply of F-16 fighter jets with Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte: according to the president, a "breakthrough agreement" was reached. Netherlands will send 42 F-16 fighters to Ukraine

• On August 21, the Ukrainian president said in a speech to the Danish Parliament that when so many peoples, so many nations stand side by side with Ukraine, it gives faith and strength. On the same day, Zelenskyy and the First Lady visited Denmark, where they met with Queen Margrethe II and members of the royal family.