Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The Government has decided to provide additional military support to Ukraine. The support consists of materiel requested by Ukraine, including anti-tank weapons, infantry support weapons and mine clearance equipment. In total, this support amounts to a value of approximately SEK 500 million.

On Monday June 27, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. In conjunction with a joint press conference, Ms Andersson delivered a speech.

Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg today presented the Ministry of Finance’s latest forecast for the economic situation. Due to high inflation and rising interest rates, growth is expected to slow in the second half of the year. The labour market remains strong, but unemployment is expected to level off next year.

The 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) concluded on Friday morning. It was the WTO’s first major conference in five years. Addressing the enormous challenges that have paralysed world trade – the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the food and energy crisis – was on the agenda.

Russia’s war against Ukraine and its consequences were on the agenda when the defence ministers of the ten Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partner nations met in Oslo on 14–15 June. Sweden was represented by Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist.

The ministers of defence of the countries participating in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) met in Oslo, Norway on 15 June 2022, and gave the following statement.

Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson received NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Monday 13 June. During their meeting, Ms Andersson and Mr Stoltenberg discussed Sweden’s and Finland’s applications for NATO membership, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the security situation in Sweden’s neighbourhood.

Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist will travel to Oslo to attend a meeting on 14–15 June with his colleagues from the countries participating in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

The defence ministers of the countries participating in the Northern Group defence policy forum met in Reykjavik on 8 June. On the agenda was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its impact on the security situation in the region.

The ministers of defence of the Northern Group met in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 8 June, and gave the following statement.

Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist will be in Reykjavik, Iceland on 7–8 June to take part in a ministerial meeting of the Northern Group defence policy forum.

The Government today adopted an additional amending budget with proposals for Sweden to provide Ukraine with financial support and equipment in response to Russia’s invasion. The Government’s proposals include Sweden donating defence materiel in the form of the RBS 17 anti-ship missile system, AG 90 anti-materiel sniper rifles and ammunition, and an additional 5 000 Swedish AT-4 recoilless anti-tank weapons.

The European Council is holding a special meeting in Brussels on 30–31 May. A number of issues related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are expected to be discussed. These include continued EU support to Ukraine, energy and food security. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson is representing Sweden.

Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will receive UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday 1 June. The agenda for their bilateral meeting includes the security situation in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the green transition.

In March and April, the Government approved additional military support to Ukraine besides the support previously approved by the Riksdag and the Government.

On Wednesday 25 May, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will receive the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

On Wednesday 25 May, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will receive Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for talks.

On 18 May, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist met with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Washington DC to discuss Sweden’s application for NATO membership and the security environment in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On 17 May, EU defence ministers met in Brussels to discuss how to implement the EU’s Strategic Compass. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was also on the agenda. State Secretary Jan-Olof Lind represented Sweden at the meeting.

The Government has adopted a bill proposing legislative amendments to quickly streamline Sweden’s ability to receive military support. The aim is to enable quicker decisions on receiving operational military support in the form of military forces from states that are members of the EU or NATO.