Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Today, Wednesday 8 June, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is hosting an international conference on recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine. The aim is to promote and facilitate private sector engagement in these efforts, and to prepare for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on 21–22 June.

Support to Ukraine is the most important priority during the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. On 1–2 June, the Swedish Presidency held a high-level meeting on protecting children to highlight how Ukrainian children have been affected by Russia’s aggression, and to discuss what EU Member States can do to respond to their needs. A very large number of Member States signed a declaration at the meeting.

Over seven million people in Ukraine have been forced to leave their homes and seek temporary protection from Russia’s aggression, both within Ukraine and in other European countries. The overwhelming majority are women and children. Children are often among the most vulnerable in war and conflict. Sweden and Ukraine have now entered into a cooperation agreement to continue supporting and protecting children.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved the recommendation to establish a Crisis Facility for the International Development Association. This Facility is a funding programme for Ukraine, Moldova and the poorest countries affected by the war in Ukraine. Sweden has been a driving force in this work. The Swedish Government assumed a leading role at an early stage with Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell’s announcement of SEK 600 million in assistance to Ukraine and Moldova in December 2022.

On Tuesday 23 May, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson will take part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting with defence ministers in Brussels.

On Thursday 16 March, the Government presented a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom to support Ukraine. The cooperation aims to improve logistics and maintenance of the Archer artillery units that Sweden intends to donate to Ukraine. It is proposed that eight units is to be donated, of which two are part of the maintenance system. The cooperation includes authorisation to sell 14 Archer artillery units to the UK, which allows the UK to donate the AS90 artillery system to Ukraine. An additional amending budget also includes proposals to authorise the donation of previously announced Leopard 2 battle tanks and to provide funds for the replenishment of defence equipment.

On Thursday 20 April, Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall visited the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, where she met President Zelenskyy’s wife, Olena Zelenska, and representatives of the Ukrainian Government. At the meeting, they discussed how children have been affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On Wednesday 3 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson took part in a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit with Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

At their meeting in Helsinki on 3 May 2023, the Presidents of Finland and Ukraine and the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden issued the following statement.

On Friday 31 March, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will receive Romania's Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă. The visit will take place as part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and will focus on European security and our strong and united support for Ukraine. But also the situation in Moldova, as well as the migration and Schengen issue. A joint press conference will be held after the meeting.

Holding Russia accountable for its violations of international law is a key issue for the Swedish Government. It is essential for justice and redress, both for Ukraine as a State and for the victims of Russia’s war crimes, but also to maintain the rules-based world order. Sweden is backing several initiatives in this area.

On Thursday 30 March, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will receive Austria’s Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The visit will take place as part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and will focus on migration issues and continued support to Ukraine. A joint press conference will be held after the meeting.

The Government has decided to provide a grant of USD 75 000 to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) to conduct a survey. The survey targets adult Ukrainian citizens in Sweden who have been registered under the Temporary Protection Directive, and will include questions about their situation in Sweden.

One year ago, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Sweden has provided humanitarian, military and civil support to Ukraine. Sweden’s military support to Ukraine has more than tripled since the current Government took office. Over the last twelve months, the EU – including Sweden – has adopted a series of sweeping sanctions packages against Russia Sweden will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

This support is intended to strengthen the two countries’ efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of women and girls and promote their opportunities and rights in both the short and the long term. The support will be channelled through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women.

On 7–8 March, EU defence ministers will gather for an informal meeting in Stockholm.

On Friday 24 February, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson gave a speech at Sergels torg during the demonstration ‘Sverige står upp för Ukraina’ (Sweden stands with Ukraine) to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Check against delivery.

The European Union has just adopted the tenth sanctions package against Russia in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Both the sectoral and individual sanctions have progressively been expanded. They are currently described as the most extensive ever, but what does that really mean?

On Monday 27 February 2023, Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall spoke at the Monday movement demonstration of solidarity with the people of Ukraine at Norrmalmstorg. Check against delivery.