Ukraine interested in intensifying defense cooperation with Sweden – Taran

During a video conference with Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrii Taran confirmed his intention to sign an agreement on defense cooperation aimed at further deepening relations between the two countries.

The main directions of bilateral defense cooperation and exchange of experience in various fields were discussed. In particular, the parties touched upon issues of territorial defense, joint combat training, professional and language training, participation in international peacekeeping operations, as well as military and technical cooperation, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported.

Taran stressed the importance of closer cooperation and exchange of experience under NATO’s Enhanced Opportunities Partnership (EOP) program, which Sweden joined in 2014 and Ukraine only last year. At the same time, he noted that Ukraine’s strategic goal is to gain full-fledged membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, while the Kingdom of Sweden continues its policy of military non-alignment.

Among other things, the minister outlined the current security situation in eastern Ukraine and expressed words of gratitude to the Swedish side for participating in the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, as well as actively supporting efforts to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

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