International

On 2–3 June, ministers, decision-makers and experts from Europe will convene in Stockholm for FOREST EUROPE’s tenth Ministerial Conference, hosted by Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren. The Conference also represents the highlight of Sweden’s chairmanship of FOREST EUROPE in 2025–2026.

The Government has decided to issue a second guarantee to the World Bank that will enable a loan to Ukraine of approximately SEK 2.5 billion. The loan will be used to cover basic things, such as public expenditure in the Ukrainian central government budget, following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

On 11–13 May, Minister for Health Care Elisabet Lann and Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson visited Kyiv and Lviv. The aim of their visit was to gain insight into Ukraine’s health and medical care and the situation for women during Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Ukraine’s highest priority is air defence. To strengthen Ukrainian air defence, Sweden and Ukraine launch a major defence deal, in which Ukraine acquires Swedish Gripen fighter jets.

Today, 28 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is receiving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a meeting in Sweden. Following their meeting, the Prime Minister and the President will hold a joint press conference to make an announcement in the area of air defence.

On Thursday 28 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will visit the Uppland Wing in Uppsala. In connection with the visit, he will hold a press conference to present news related to international cooperation on air defence.

At the summit held between Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 May, the countries announced deeper cooperation aimed at reducing industrial emissions. Sweden and India are to develop a new work programme for the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) initiative for 2027–2030.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic-Baltic countries firmly reject Russia’s blatant disinformation campaign and false claims, supported by Belarus, following the airspace violations in the Nordic-Baltic region. We strongly condemn Russia’s threats of the use of force directed at Latvia and other countries in the region.

The following Ambassadors presented their Letters of credence to His Majesty The King on Friday, 22 May 2026: H.E. KIM Chol Hae, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; H.E. Swahiba Habib Mndeme, United Republic of Tanzania; H.E. Francisco Neto António Novela, Republic of Mozambique; and H.E. Thandazile Penelope Mbuyisa, Kingdom of Eswatini – with residence in London.

Joint Statement on Arctic Security from the Arctic Allies – Canada, Kingdom of Denmark including Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States of America

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a memorandum of understanding regarding bilateral technology cooperation in Helsingborg on 22 May. This will involve greater opportunities for bilateral cooperation in areas such as AI, connectivity, biomedicine, energy, space, quantum technology, advanced manufacturing and defence innovation.

On 21–22 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will welcome Allies to a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Helsingborg.

Opinion piece by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard in The New York Times, 20 May 2026.

On 17 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Gothenburg. During the visit, the leaders held bilateral meetings and participated in discussions with European business leaders on innovation, climate and trade. HRH Crown Princess Victoria, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, and India’s Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also participated in the programme.

On 17 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Gothenburg on the occasion of Sweden and India upgrading their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. Mr Kristersson and Mr Modi also met with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Joint Statement on the India–Sweden Summit, ‘Establishment of a Strategic Partnership’ Gothenburg, 17 May 2026

On Sunday 17 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in the presence of HRH The Crown Princess, received India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gothenburg. During the visit, Mr Modi was presented with the Royal Order of the Polar Star by HRH The Crown Princess.

At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, Shri Narendra Modi, the Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of India, paid an official visit to Gothenburg, Sweden, on 17 May 2026. During the visit, Mr Modi was presented with a special gift symbolising the historic bonds between the two countries.

On 17 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will receive Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Gothenburg. During the visit, the leaders will hold bilateral meetings and participate in discussions with European business leaders on innovation and trade. Mr Kristersson and Mr Modi will also hold joint press statements, together with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. HRH The Crown Princess will also participate in the programme.