Sweden's support to Ukraine

Yesterday, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa has presented the Government’s annual award for Swedish volunteer projects in support of Ukraine. The 2026 recipients are Elly Reinolds and OperationChange.

The Government has decided that Sweden will join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. Demanding accountability for Russia’s crimes against Ukraine is an important priority for the Swedish Government. The aim is to ensure redress and justice for Ukraine and its people.

Sweden is contributing USD 108 million to the US-initiated Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). The funds are part of the previously communicated support package for Ukraine.

On 15 June, a hub for Ukrainians in Sweden is being inaugurated. The Hub is a new meeting place that will provide support, guidance and information to Ukrainians in Sweden. Minister for Migration Johan Forssell will attend the inauguration together with Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine for European Integration Ilona Havronska and representatives of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Swedish government agencies, civil society and the Ukrainian diaspora.

On Wednesday 20 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard travelled to Kristianstad along with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha for a bilateral meeting, a walkabout and a ceremony. Mr Sybiha then undertook other visits in southern Sweden before attending the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Helsingborg.

On May 28th 2026 the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a Joint Declaration on Enhanced Security and Defence Cooperation.

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.

Today, on Thursday 28 May, Ukraine announced its intention to purchase 20 Gripen E/F aircraft as a first step following the Letter of Intent signed by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 22 October 2025. In conjunction with the sale, Sweden will donate up to 16 JAS 39 Gripen C/D aircraft from the Swedish Armed Forces’ current fleet, together with advanced ammunition. To replace these donated aircraft, new modern Gripen E/F aircraft will be procured for the Swedish Air Force, in addition to those previously ordered.

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

Germany is Sweden’s most important trading partner, and the world’s fourth-largest economy. On Wednesday 6 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Stockholm for a meeting on regional security policy, total defence and cooperation between Sweden and Germany.

On May 5-6 the Nordic Ministers of Defence gathered in Trøndelag under Norway's chairship of NORDEFCO in 2026.

On Tuesday 5 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda for a bilateral meeting in Stockholm. Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz also participated.

We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and government representatives of the NB8, met in Kuressaare, Estonia on 29-30 April 2026, at a time of rapid change in the international security environment, with heightened geopolitical tensions, Russia continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine, and an urgent need for Europe to step up and take greater responsibility for shaping its future.

On Wednesday 6 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is to receive Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a bilateral meeting in Stockholm.

The EU’s 20th package of sanctions includes comprehensive measures that hit the Russian economy, including Russia’s energy revenues and the shadow fleet. The package also includes measures against sanctions evasion, crypto services and access to sensitive technology used on the battlefield.

The Government is presenting a new support package focused on democracy and cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine of SEK 15.4 million for 2026–2028, SEK 8.7 million of which is for 2026. The support includes SEK 3 million to the National Democratic Institute (NDI), SEK 0.9 million to the Council of Europe and SEK 1.5 million to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) for 2026. The support to cultural heritage initiatives includes SEK 10 million to Gotlands Museum for 2026–2028.

The Government has decided on new support totalling SEK 12 million for initiatives preserving the cultural heritage of Ukraine through UNESCO for 2026–2027. The support will ensure the protection and long-term preservation of cultural heritage sites threatened by the war.

Today, 17 April, HM The King and Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard are visiting Lviv to show Sweden’s strong support for Ukraine.

Today, the Government is taking an important step to ensure accountability for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Through two Government Bills, it is proposed that Sweden join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and accede to the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. Sweden has played an active role in the establishment of both mechanisms.