Sweden's support to Ukraine

On 3–4 December, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will take part in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels, which will lay the groundwork ahead of the NATO Summit in The Hague in mid-2025. The agenda includes support to Ukraine and cooperation with countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

On Friday 22 November, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson received his Ukrainian colleague Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov at Karlberg Palace. At the Palace, Mr Jonson presented plans for a new Swedish financial contribution to the Ukrainian defence industry with a focus on the mass production of long-range missiles and long-range drones.

Today, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met to sign a new strategic partnership between Sweden and Poland. This partnership includes the two countries strengthening their cooperation within security and defence, innovation and competitiveness.

Today, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are holding bilateral talks at Harpsund. At 14.00, they will sign a new strategic partnership between Sweden and Poland and then hold a joint press conference.

Increased security in Northern Europe and enhanced support to Ukraine were on the agenda when Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson participated in several meetings of defence ministers in Copenhagen. Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov also took part in all the meetings.

Yesterday, 21 November 2024, the Nordic Ministers of Defence met in Copenhagen to discuss how to further strengthen Nordic defence cooperation (NORDEFCO) and take stock of the progress made under the Danish Chairmanship in 2024.

Russia’s illegal attacks on health and medical care facilities during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine have severe consequences for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The Swedish Government has therefore approved an additional SEK 50 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its operations in Ukraine.

Yesterday, 20 November 2024, the Ministers of Defence and representatives of the Northern Group reaffirmed their steadfast support to Ukraine and their commitment to continue and develop Northern Europe’s military assistance to Ukraine and to strengthen industrial cooperation.

(New version) On 22 November, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson invites the media to a press conference with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov, following his visit to Stockholm. The press conference will take place at Karlberg Palace.

The EU has imposed new sanctions against Iran, in response to Iran’s military support of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These restrictive measures aim to obstruct Iran’s production of weapons and arms supplies to Russia.

On 19 November, the defence segment of the EU Foreign Affairs Council will convene. The meeting will focus on continued EU support to Ukraine and strengthening EU defence readiness and preparedness. Minister for Defence Pål Jonson will represent Sweden at the meeting.

Ukraine’s closer ties with the EU promote the country’s development and contribute to security and stability throughout Europe. Sweden is a committed and long-term partner in this integration process and supports Ukraine on its path towards EU membership.

On 5 November 2024, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin and Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko signed a statement of intent between Ukraine and Sweden on closer collaboration in the areas of civil protection and national resilience.

Today, the EU decided to extend the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) Ukraine. The Mission strengthens Ukraine’s capability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and will now be extended by two years.

Sweden and Ukraine yesterday signed a statement of intent on closer collaboration in the areas of civil protection and national resilience. Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin also presented a civil support package that the Government intends to approve. The package includes approximately 40 000 protective face masks, worth SEK 100 million, from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, and two environmental protection vessels and additional materiel from the Swedish Coast Guard.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues to have devastating consequences – both military and humanitarian. The Swedish Government is therefore supporting Ukraine in a number of ways and has now decided on a new humanitarian support package of SEK 110 million. This support will primarily be used to meet the increased needs ahead of the winter.

Within the framework for previously military aid packages to Ukraine the Swedish Government will allocate financial support of EUR 63 million or approximately SEK 720 million to Ukraine. The financial contribution will cover EUR 20 million in support to Ukraine’s industrial base. This is based on a Danish model that aims to support procurements from Ukrainian industry in line with Ukraine’s proposals. The Government also intends to allocate approximately EUR 43 million in financial support to a number of multilateral initiatives to support Ukraine.

Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson and Ukrainian Minister of Health Viktor Liashko have signed a technical agreement between Sweden and Ukraine. The aim is to intensify cooperation and advance Ukraine’s process of integration into the EU. Ms Ankarberg Johansson also visited several care facilities in Kyiv, including the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital that Russia attacked in July.

Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine continues with unabated intensity and far-reaching consequences for civilians. At the same time, Russia is spreading propaganda to try and portray the Russian economy as more well-functioning than it actually is. As part of efforts to combat this propaganda, the Swedish Government commissioned the National Institute of Economic Research to analyse economic developments in Russia. Last Wednesday, Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson hosted a seminar in connection with the report’s conclusions.

On 16 October 2024, the Nordic-Baltic countries’ foreign ministers visited Odesa, Ukraine. The visit took place against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks against Ukraine resulting in further loss of lives, injuries and widespread destruction. The needs are immense, especially within the energy sector, as Ukraine prepares for its third winter since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The Nordic-Baltic countries are united in their unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine. During the visit, a substantial Nordic-Baltic winter package was announced in response to Ukraine’s most pressing needs, including energy, social infrastructure and humanitarian support. The support aims to alleviate the suffering caused by Russia’s attacks by contributing to basic needs such as heating and clean water during the cold winter months.