Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is visiting Sweden on Thursday to meet with the country’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, according to government officials, with sources indicating they plan to make an announcement concerning Gripen fighter aircraft.
Last year, Kristersson and Zelenskiy put their signatures on an agreement that would potentially allow Sweden to sell as many as 150 Saab Gripen model E fighter aircraft to Ukraine. However, since those deliveries would take several years to complete, officials have also been exploring the possibility of transferring Sweden’s current C/D model Gripens.
An individual with firsthand knowledge of the ongoing talks confirmed to Reuters that Thursday’s announcement will center on Gripen aircraft, though they would not provide additional details.
Following news of the meeting, Saab’s stock price climbed, showing a 5% increase by 0834 GMT.
These aircraft represent a key component of Ukraine’s fighter aircraft priorities, and the nation’s defense minister stated in May that an agreement for the Gripen E could be finalized “within months” following the European Union’s approval of a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine.
