Prime Minister’s speech at the Society and Defence Annual National Conference

Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The rules-based and multilateral world order that was established after the Second World War has never been perfect, but it’s still the best we have. 

It has given us principles such as respect for international law, and that large countries don’t have their own spheres of interest – where ‘might makes right’.

As we now start 2026, and perhaps see potential opportunities for peace in Ukraine, we’re also seeing this world order under greater threat than it has been for many decades. This is dangerous in several ways. The risk of major conflicts is increasing, as is the risk of smaller nations being sacrificed in the process. 

For a country like Sweden, this is particularly serious. 

An open economy that is built on innovation and free trade. A country that sees the value of cooperation – on all levels. A country that builds security together with others. And a country that stands for the eternal values of freedom, democracy and national autonomy. 

The United States’ military attack on Venezuela has led to President Maduro now facing trial. He was not the legitimate leader of his country and very few will mourn his departure from power. 

But it was still a violation of international law and risks encouraging other countries to follow suit, and to look at the world in the same way. 

Russia is already proving that it does not see Ukraine as a separate country, but as part of ITS sphere of influence. 

China is increasingly signalling that it is prepared to take Taiwan, even by force. This is a dangerous path to choose. 

Meanwhile, the US administration’s threatening rhetoric against Denmark and Greenland is being met with very strong criticism – and rightly so. 

Sweden, the Nordic countries, the Baltic states and several major countries in Europe are standing up together for our Danish friends. 

The US should in fact be thanking Denmark, which has been a very loyal Ally for many years. In Afghanistan and Iraq, more than 50 Danish soldiers paid the ultimate price for this loyalty. 

The world as we know it continues to be shaken. Take this seriously – but do not panic. We must not be afraid – but we must be prepared. 

Now our task is to do what needs to be done in Sweden.  

And this is what I want to talk about here today. 

***

The day before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, I was in Helsinki and met with Finland’s then President, Sauli Niinistö and current Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. 

Neither Sauli nor I knew that war would wake us before dawn. But he was already concerned about whether the countries of Europe would remain united – and whether Europe and the US would. 

Europe has in fact remained united. We’re talking about the EU – minus Hungary of course, and increasingly also minus Slovakia and Czechia. But we’re also talking about the EU+, with the United Kingdom and Norway. And the entire Coalition of the Willing, with valued partners such as Canada. 

But now I’m saying what Sauli said then – don’t take this unity for granted. 

One good sign was that just before Christmas we were able to agree on substantial financial support for Ukraine. 

One bad sign was that at three in the morning, we weren’t able to reach an agreement to use the frozen Russian assets in Europe for Ukraine, against Russia. 

Another good sign is that the European NATO countries have finally agreed to significantly strengthen our military capability to defend Europe. 

Another bad sign is that so many countries have such weak economies that they are struggling to make the military expansion credible. 

It’s even more difficult to reconcile these expenditures with also assisting Ukraine in the long term. 

***

In this dramatically changed international environment, the Government and I have reached some important conclusions. The plan for a more secure Sweden in more dangerous times can be summed up in five points.  

Firstly, we are now undertaking Sweden’s largest military expansion since the Cold War – and we are reinstating our civil defence. 

Sweden was a driving force for a new and considerably higher NATO spending target – and we are backing up those words with deeds. 

This is a demanding priority. Every krona – or rather every billion – that goes to Sweden’s defence cannot simultaneously be used for other equally important purposes. This will place considerable demands on the Swedish economy. I will return to this point presently.

Secondly, we have rapidly become an integral and respected force within NATO. Our presence in Latvia, Poland and Finland is highly appreciated, and Sweden is a key actor in building a stronger European NATO, which in turn is cooperating more closely with the EU. 

A strong line of defence along the eastern flank is needed – from the Norwegian Arctic coast all the way to the Ukrainian Black Sea coast. Because much more than others, we understand what a threat Russia is, and can once more become. 

Europe needs to have greater confidence in its security policy. 

Thirdly, we are one of the world’s largest donors to Ukraine and were involved in founding the major coalition that just the other week in Paris discussed security guarantees with both Ukraine and the United States. 

In the days leading up to that meeting, national security advisers met in Kyiv to prepare. Our Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces also met with his colleagues.  

Under the right conditions, we in Sweden are prepared to provide Gripen aircraft for aerial surveillance, naval resources for mine clearance, and military training. 

We are yet to see any signs that Russia wants to negotiate a proper peace. But we know that the United States believe it, and that Ukraine is prepared to try. 

Fourthly, we expect major efforts on a personal level. Because Sweden is not only a place for self-fulfilment, but also a place for self-sacrifice. 

And many people in our country are taking that responsibility in different ways. More and more people are now realising that a free country must be able to defend its freedom. 

Last year, 8 139 young men and women joined up to do their national military service, and we are expanding the national civilian service. 

It is no small matter to sacrifice a year for Sweden’s freedom, but those of us who have done national military service know that it also offers experiences for life.

And fifthly, we wholeheartedly support the Swedish defence industry, which is successfully exporting our capabilities to others as well. 

Most recently this involved making the Baltic Sea more secure with Swedish submarines in Poland. 

But Global Eye, Archer and CV90 are also putting Sweden on the map. This is something we should be proud of.

***

As Prime Minister, I am now pleased to see the broad support for the new Swedish security policy.

ALL parliamentary parties support the expansion of our defence. 

Six out of eight parties – from the Sweden Democrats to the Social Democratic Party – are now in favour of our NATO membership. I truly believe in pulling together in difficult times. 

However – and this is not something that everyone takes sufficiently seriously: 

If Sweden is to manage the monumental tasks ahead of us – expanding our total defence, supporting Ukraine in the long term, developing one of the world’s finest welfare models and achieving the green transition – Sweden must also become one of the world's most economically successful and competitive countries. 

Otherwise it will not work. Otherwise, we will be forced to make some very difficult choices.

And so unity on major and long-term expenditure is a good thing. Now we need corresponding unity on the growth policy that will CREATE these resources. 

This is why we need a resolute government with stable political support. And this is why I am continuing the efforts to bring about a Swedish growth pact in dialogue with business and other political parties. 

Ultimately, a strong Swedish economy will be needed to build Swedish security in uncertain times.

Thank you.