Tobias Billström

The EU has adopted a new set of sanctions against Belarus, in response to the situation in the country, and its involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. These measures aim to reduce the possibilities of circumventing the sanctions against Russia.

The EU has adopted its fourteenth sanctions package against Russia in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions aim to further limit the Russian state’s revenues and Russia’s capacity to wage war, and they are an important part of the EU’s support for Ukraine. The new package includes stricter measures targeting the shadow fleet and imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

On 25 June, Mr Billström will travel to Warsaw for talks with Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski.

On 19–20 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström will host a meeting of the Nordic foreign ministers in Stockholm. The meeting will take place within the framework of Sweden’s Presidency of the N5 – Nordic cooperation on foreign and security policy.

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström on death sentences against Swedes in Iraq.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström’s during his visit to Texas 13–15 May 2024. Check against delivery.

On 28–29 May, Canada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly visited Stockholm at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström. The visit took place in the light of Sweden’s NATO membership and preparations ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Washington DC in July.

On 30–31 May, Mr Billström will take part in an informal meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Prague.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström at Stockholm China Forum, Stockholm, 29 May 2024. Check against delivery.

Statement concerning Rafah, 28 May 2024.

Statement on Georgia, 28 May 2024.

On 23–24 May, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater visited Stockholm at the invitation of State Secretary Diana Janse. The visit also included meetings with Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell. The purpose of the visit was to discuss cooperation on development assistance, Ukraine’s reconstruction and the war in Gaza.

The EU has adopted a new sanctions regime in response to increasing political repression in Russia. In light of the decision, 19 natural persons and one entity have been added to the sanctions list.

On Wednesday 29 May, Mr Billström will receive Ms Joly. In connection with the meeting, a joint press conference will be held on the topics of the security situation, current NATO issues and Swedish-Canadian bilateral relations.

In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU decided to immobilise the Central Bank of the Russian Federation’s assets in the EU. During the Swedish Presidency of the Council, an EU Working Group was established to investigate the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. This work as resulted in the EU’s decision on 21 May to use the net extraordinary revenues generated by the immobilised assets to provide military and macroeconomic support to Ukraine.

Mr Billström is visiting Texas on 13–15 May. The purpose is to present Sweden’s ambitions as a space nation and foster a good working relationship with Texas in relation to emerging technologies within the space industry.

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström on the situation in Georgia.

On 2–3 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström will be in Copenhagen to attend this year’s Nordic-African Foreign Ministers Meeting. The agenda includes peace and security, multilateral cooperation, reform of multilateral institutions and increasing trade and investment.

The King and Queen of Denmark will pay a State Visit to Sweden on 6–7 May 2024 at the invitation of His Majesty The King.

On Monday 22 April, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and Minister for Defence Pål Jonson are taking part in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and Sudan are on the agenda.