Comments by "Mats From" (@matsfrommusic) on "SWEDEN’S AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE ON WHY UKRAINE IS THE CENTER OF THE WORLD" video.

My concern here is why we Swedes keep being misinformed and let wishful thinking dictate our decisions as it seems. Even our ambassador in Keiv thinks we’re fine and talks proudly about how we have stood up against Putin, which is so far from the truth as it possible could be. He choose the angle that we’ve been maybe better than most other EU countries which doesn’t mean a thing, and then he didn’t really answer the question either. I can only imagine how the Ukrainians must feel considering no other country of the western world really have held a tough enough approach against Russia during these last, let’s say 20 years, part from a few exceptions, and in some ways ultimately have made this situation possible, although the blame clearly lays on Russia alone. We knew already 20 years ago what he was, we just didn’t do anything about it. So, then Georgia, nothing happens, then Crimea and Luhansk/Donetsk and still nothing happens really. Some countries even deepened their dependencies of Russian gas still after 2014. In dec 2021 when these crazy demands came from Russia, nothing happened, we just stood and watch them roll over the borders on the 24 of feb, and no one came to aid Ukraine with military forces. At this point Ukraine should have the weapons already but it took 4 months before they got the GMLRS, and weapons that they actually could defend themselves with. The decision Ukraine took to stand up to Russia on the battle field while all other countries wouldn’t, is beyond me I have to say. Anyway, our Swedish politicians started to run around like headless chickens shouting about NATO, which felt incredibly cynical and cowardly considering Ukraine’s ongoing situation, but it was also based on this misconception that Russia just as well would invade Sweden. Like invading another country is the easiest thing to do.. Our former prime minister clearly stated that Sweden is not going to send the weapons that the Ukrainians need, again because of the same misconception. If you know anything about Putin, you know reasoning is not going to change one thing, and you understand how this is going to end ultimately, if not by Russias own interventions that is. It’s about time people stop messing around now, and my guess is, when you talk to Ukrainians now almost 7 months into this full scale invasion, they might be interested in some real action and not our usual nonsens. So if that reporter seemed somewhat frustrated with some of the answers, I completely get why.
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Swedens behavior during this war has been a huge embarrassment and really, Sweden has always been too soft on Russia. There’s so many different evidences of that through the years, essentially it’s our spineless excuse of politicians that doesn’t understand the life of regular people basically and it’s always been like that, and it’s all over the board generally. So when Ukraine don’t get the weapons they need to fight this war (by themselves as it turned out), it’s because our government really believes that Russia might attack us, which I think is a risk you have to take at the very least, especially when Ukraine is fighting this alone and for all of us in some sense. The question that Lesia Dubenko is asking about our shift in government and whether that would change the assistance for Ukraine, I believe is rather if we would be able to step it up a bit, as we’ve been so reluctant to send the equipment that would actually make a difference. Good to know, Swedes doesn’t like to talk about the real issues at hand but instead put all efforts into the nonsense surrounding it that may seem important but really isn’t. We love the praises but aren’t willing to walk any particular lengths I guess you could say. However, now after the election we got a more sufficient and level headed government (I hope) and I feel more hopeful that we can now help Ukraine much more with weapons and whatever else they might need. Because it really is the very least we can do.
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When our representative in Ukraine is saying that she’s fundamentally wrong when she’s asking about our possible weak approach towards Russia, that just says it all right there. How can anyone say something like that with a straight face? Obviously we haven't done enough and she's absolutely right, it's not even a question. I think it’s very important to point out how many times the western world has let Russia off the hook, which in many ways is the reason why we’re in this situation (and especially unfortunately for Ukraine). There’s a reason why that question comes up as we have had our airspace violated many times or finding various submarines in the Baltic sea, various IT attacks, and also a few situations where Russia has been verbally hostile for very little reason. (who can forget Grotesco’s Tingeling ) and frankly, and as far as I can remember we have never been able to respond in a proportional or appropriate manner and ultimately this is what you get from a bully if you don’t push back firmly. What Tobias is talking about I have no idea, but he might have an example or two where we did something that actually made a difference and not just the bare minimal for protocol. I'm sure it's nothing to be proud of.
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@parkarlsson9469 Actually, I’m not sure about the coalition either to be honest. You do however give us all a real life example of what I just said. I hope we can do better.
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erik bengt What have we sent to Ukraine that really made a difference? All things must not be weapons but still it is the NO1 thing that will protect civilians the most at this point. I think when children are being murdered, women being raped and burned alive, soldiers being tortured to death in the most horrific ways, it is very strange that we don’t just give Ukraine everything they need. I mean, what we really should do is to send real military aid, as every country with a sense of decency should, but since we’re not that, then at least give them the weapons they need whatever it is, just fix it! If we are a humanitarian super power, then let’s show we really mean it.
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Nope, I believe this is the A-team. I think you're describing it beautifully, thank you!
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@admiralbenbow5083 Maybe so. Agree.
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Btw, Dubenkos comment about Sweden is spot on, ”Sweden likes to describe themselves as a humanitarian super power” - that’s in fact exactly what I was trying to say, though in a less expositive way.
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@jokervienna6433 I don't care about them and I have no illusions about their contributions at all. Whatever the worst case scenario in Sweden is, there's a long way to go, to be compared to some other countries, and it feels petty to even speak about it in this thread. I don't understand what you getting at frankly? My hopes lays with this government to be better at supporting Ukraine, that's what I'm saying here. And realizing we could and should have done better thus far but we didn't and it's because of poor knowledge and understanding of Russia for the most part.
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erik bengt You can keep track of that with the support tracker if you want. I’m not saying our contributions is futile but we can and must do better, and especially sending particular weapons if we have them and if they need them.
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@user-tm3ec8yu4j SD??
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@jokervienna6433 We'll see what happens, at least we know now where the left wing stand and how much efforts they where prepared to take. Being all about solidarity and all.
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@kamino78 I can’t recall even one single situation where they’ve stood up to Russia in an appropriate manner. I would love to know when that happened and how it went down. There’s been so many instances over the years and they have let them off the hook way too easily every time, and that’s why Russia have kept at it too because they know they get away with it. About the troops, yes, that’s EXACTLY why I said what I said.
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