Zelenskyy landed, thanked and flew away
– Thank you.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, looked around the large hangar at the Uppsala Garrison and then began an explanation of how important the big deal with Sweden about JAS planes is.
Next to him stood Ulf Kristersson and looked pleased, which he undeniably had reason to be, this was a day of a completely different caliber than the dreary everyday life where opinion polls compete with each other in gloom.
It was a long morning drive to this press conference on the F16, which has been in existence since 1943, and which is now responsible for the combat command of the Swedish Armed Forces' aircraft and the constant monitoring of Swedish airspace.
There is even protection against space surveillance here, boasts the defense website.
It was also here that Zelensky landed his plane at eleven o'clock today.
At nine o'clock in the morning, the media people passed the security check and photographers were stowed in black cars and writing journalists were allowed to board a bus.
- No pictures are allowed, our tour guide, one of the defense forces' press gnomes, shouted.
- We offer water, she added.
We drove past a stuffed Viggen, barracks, soldiers' homes, libraries, service centers, hangars, mountain shelters, containers, green trucks, environmental stations for "hazardous waste", helicopters, tankers and stopped after a few minutes at an airfield.
There we were met by a fan guard. And a communicator who told us that the "person of honor" would soon land.
- You know you can say Zelenskyj? joked a reporter.
- I say the person of honor, the communicator replied stiffly.
Then we had to get back on the bus. And wait and wait and wait.
The funniest thing that happened was that a TV reporter spilled water on his lap. Or maybe it was one of the press gnomes because glasses can fly off when Zelenskyj lands.
Which he did at eleven o'clock. Hands were shaken with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister of Defense Pål Jonsson, Air Force Commander Jonas Wikman and Ukraine's ambassador to Sweden, Svetlana Zalishchuk.
JAS planes thundered at low altitude above our heads, the politicians drove off in black cars and the press were put back on the bus for a short trip to headquarters. Lunch sandwich, coffee and a pee break.
It was all as orderly as a charter holiday. And three quarters of an hour later we got on the bus again for a trip to the hangar and another wait before finally having a press conference at 1:10 p.m.
The political leaders first sat down and signed an agreement on enhanced military cooperation and then stood up and spoke.
Even better, a portable drone shelter had been placed outside. And we were given headphones where an interpreter's voice translated into Swedish.
- JAS is the world's best fighter jet, boasted Kristersson.
- In a first step, we are selling 20 new planes. And donating 16 older ones.
- Thank you for this support, Zelenskyj replied.
Sure, this was one of all these hopeless press stunts. But unlike the other day, when we were herded around a bus depot and listened to Tidö party leaders who want to win votes by halving the price of bus tickets, there is something deeper and more important here than this autumn's elections.
Ukraine's cause is ours and the country's defense is the defense of all of Europe. This point is not original, I know, wiser people than me have said this time and time and time again, but it bears repeating.
And Sweden has taken responsibility. 128 billion so far in support in great political unity.
Not even Åkesson, who a few years ago slyly dog-whistles that there is a limit to how much can be paid, as if there was a risk that, for example, the entire allocation to the police would suddenly go to Ukraine, is whining now.
Today's news was revealed by Aftonbladet yesterday, Sweden is donating a number of JAS planes to Ukraine.
In addition, negotiations are beginning on an upcoming sale of the latest model Gripen E within the framework of the declaration of intent concluded in October last year regarding 100–150 planes.
Financing options look better since Hungary has released its veto against the EU loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine.
It is true that this was a good day for Kristersson, the moderate leader who knows only too well that much right now speaks for a change of power in the fall.
It would have been even better for the prime minister if this meeting had taken place in the run-up to the election campaign in August, but you can't always get what you want.
But above all, this was a somewhat important day for Ukraine. Russia is threatening systematic attacks on Kiev, Zelensky has appealed for air missiles in a letter to Trump.
And in a hangar outside Uppsala, the Ukrainian president explained that the plan will strengthen the protection of Ukrainian soldiers at the front and increase the ability to defend themselves against Russian fighter jets.
– Support like this is crucial for the survival of our people, Zelenskyy continued.
– We must deepen the relationship with Sweden and Europe.
– We are taking measures against the Russian shadow fleet, Kristersson interjected.
SAAB's CEO, Micael Johansson, stood in the background, squinting. And wonder what, a deal worth 2.7 billion dollars is not negotiated every day.
The guest quickly left after the press conference. Journalists were pushed and jostled around Kristersson and a surly man from TT loudly vented his displeasure at being placed a bit behind in the queue.
This deal is not risk-free. Military analysts are already out in the press warning that Russia will single out Sweden as an active participant in the war.
Let it be as it is with that matter. That asshole Putin wins the war is not an option.
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