More support for Ukraine, sports boycotts and open hearts. How Sweden and the EU should act on Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shaped the debate over the past week.
Russia has invaded Ukraine and Europe is facing a major crisis. This topic has been central to Swedish debate and leadership pages, but there are a number of different angles. Whether Sweden should get more involved in the conflict and support Ukraine has been debated in several magazines. At the beginning of last week wrote DN's editorial staff that the EU and the US should act against Putin, and that harsh sanctions should be imposed immediately on Russia.
In a debate article in Aftonbladet writes a number of political youth unions about how the EU must do more to support Ukraine. They consider that the sanctions package is not comprehensive enough and that the exclusion of Russia from the Swift transaction system should have been implemented earlier. They also believe that the EU should send medical supplies, weapons, humanitarian aid and transport to Ukraine, and stand up for the right to asylum in this crisis.
Furthermore writes Claes Sandgren in DN Debate that a good complement to the economic sanctions introduced by the EU last week is the so-called sports boycott - to exclude Russia from major international sports championships. According to Claes Sandgren, powerful economic sanctions, such as restricting gas and oil from Russia, are a "double-edged sword" that can lead to energy shortages and high energy prices in the rest of Europe, while Russia is stable. Claes Sandgren believes that sporting boycotts can do real damage to Putin's reputation and legitimacy and thus be a good complement to intergovernmental, economic sanctions.
Erik Helmerson argues in a similar way on DN's leader page. He says sports boycotts are versions of sanctions that "turn at least one propaganda weapon out of Putin's hands." He argues above all that the Champions League final should be moved from St Petersburg in Russia.
Part of the debate has also focused on the effects that the invasion may have. The Center Party's youth union and the Liberals' youth union write in one debate article in Aftonbladet that Sweden must live up to its epithet as a humanitarian superpower and that nice words that Sweden is united with Ukraine are not enough. Sweden must also offer protection to the Ukrainians who are forced to flee, the debaters say.
On DN's leader page writes Susanne Nyström that Sweden and the EU must open their hearts to Ukrainians on the run. She writes that Europe must be ready and plan for millions of refugees if the conflict escalates. Also Ingvar Persson on Aftonbladet's editorial page argues that we must be ready for a wave of refugees and give these people a dignified reception.
Reactions to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
It is important that the EU and the US act against Putin - immediately
DN's editorial staff, Dagens Nyheter
The EU is not doing enough to help Ukraine
Julia Eriksson, union president Center Students, etc., Aftonbladet
Facing a sporting boycott of Russia
Claes Sandgren. Today's news
The sports world should say like Boris Johnsson: Not a chance, Russia
Erik Helmersson. Today's news
Sweden must open up to Ukrainian refugees
Romina Pourmokhtari & Réka Tolnai, Aftonbladet
Sweden and the EU must open their hearts to millions of refugees from Ukraine
Susanne Nyström. Today's news
Europe must be ready for a wave of refugees
Ingvar Persson. The evening paper
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