The real Victory Day is celebrated in Europe

Tomorrow, (Friday) Victory Day will be commemorated in Moscow, a propaganda event claiming to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the second world war. However, the grand name stands in stark contrast to today’s Russia. The economy is on the brink of collapse. Outside the major cities, running water is a luxury and the birth rate is declining. 

Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine is in its fourth year and the spectacle in Red Square does not hide the fact that thus far Russia has failed to achieve its strategic objectives.

In Europe however, there is reason to rejoice on this day. Europe Day is celebrated every year on 9 May to commemorate the declaration that marked the beginning of the European Coal and Steel Community – the joint management of the industry that laid the foundation for the most successful peace project of the post-war era and one of the largest domestic markets in the world. Today, 75 years later, the European Union is perhaps the world’s most important symbol of peace, freedom and openness.

Despite recurring crises – the financial crisis, the Euro crisis, the migration crisis, Brexit and the pandemic – the EU has emerged from them more united each time. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, like the US Administration’s tariffs against the rest of the world, is no exception.

Contrary to Russia’s hopes, Europe did not fall like a house of cards when Russia invaded Ukraine. Rather, EU countries have come together. Since the beginning of the war, the EU and its Member States have, to date, provided Ukraine with close to EUR 147 billion in economic, financial, humanitarian and military support. Sweden’s share amounts to some SEK 93 billion. Together with the other Nordic-Baltic countries, we are the world’s second-largest provider of military support to Ukraine. This is an investment in Europe’s – and thus our own – security.

The Government has a close dialogue with Ukraine, and we constantly review how we can meet their needs while safeguarding our own defence. Sweden is also one of the countries that supports Ukraine’s path to EU membership most robustly. With Ukraine in the EU, the Union becomes safer, stronger and richer. Sweden is working to open all EU negotiation chapters with Ukraine during 2025.

The countries of Europe must now take greater collective responsibility for support to Ukraine and for security on our own continent. European countries have invested far too little in their defence capabilities for far too long. Now we see how the EU is stepping up and taking its responsibility to contribute to the historic defence investments taking place in Europe. The broad support shows that the EU can contribute here as well, while the collective defence in NATO is also strengthened. 

The EU’s reply to the US Administration’s tariffs also shows Europe’s strength when we speak with a single voice. EU countries rallied behind the Commission’s clear response – proportionate and well-balanced counter-tariffs with the goal of ensuring that European companies and consumers should fare as well as possible.

Sweden has pushed to simultaneously strengthen trade with other parts of the world, which together account for 87 per cent of global trade, and to strengthen the EU’s internal market. An increasing number of countries now back Sweden’s free trade and simplification offensive. As a trusted trading partner, the EU has all the prerequisites to become a reliable player in global trade policy as well, and as one of the EU’s most free trade-friendly, innovative and competitive countries, Sweden can lead the way.

Europe’s broad support of Ukraine is rooted in the lessons we learned from two world wars and the Iron Curtain that divided Europe for decades. We know that security and prosperity are best built together with other like-minded people, and that our free, democratic societies are worth defending

On Friday, Russia celebrates war while we celebrate peace. The contrast could not be starker.