Sweden to contribute additional SEK 1.4 billion to World Bank operations in Ukraine

“Ukraine’s resilience must not be taken for granted. Ukraine requires extensive support in order to be able to continue to pay salaries to its healthcare staff and keep its electricity grid intact. For this reason, the Government has today decided to contribute SEK 1.4 billion to the World Bank for its operations in Ukraine, thus making it possible to issue new loans to Ukraine corresponding to SEK 4.2 billion. Ukraine is defending not only its own freedom, but ours as well,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.

“Ukraine has consistently defended the whole of Europe’s sovereignty since Russia launched its full-scale war of aggression four years ago. For Ukraine to be able to continue to function and persist in its struggle against Russia’s aggression, the country’s economy must be bolstered, in both the short and long term. This support is an effective investment in Ukraine’s resilience and future, and thus also an investment in the security of Sweden and Europe. In combination with sanctions against Russia, this will make it difficult for the Russian aggressor to succeed in its war,” says Aron Emilsson, foreign policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats.

“Ukraine’s struggle will be determined not only on the frontline – it will also be determined by whether schools can remain open, healthcare continues to function and the economy can sustain itself. This is why Sweden’s support via the World Bank is so vital – it will help Ukraine stand its ground today, and rebuild tomorrow,” says Magnus Berntsson, foreign policy spokesperson from the Christian Democrats. 

“The Government continues to prioritise support to Ukraine. A stronger Ukrainian economy is essential to the country’s resilience, recovery and reform efforts on its way to future EU membership,” says Minister for Upper Secondary School, Higher Education and Research Lotta Edholm.

Due to Russia’s war of aggression, Ukraine’s economy is under enormous strain. Since February 2022, the World Bank Group has channelled more than USD 90 billion to Ukraine and is an important partner in strengthening the country’s resilience in essential sectors such as energy, healthcare, agriculture, education and transport. The World Bank also contributes to Ukraine’s reform efforts with the aim of strengthening its economy in the long term and supporting the country on its path to EU membership.

Sweden’s contribution of SEK 1.4 billion is being channelled to the World Bank’s Special Program for Ukraine Recovery 2.0 under the new IDA Crisis Facility 2.0. By using the Bank’s balance sheet and borrowing on capital markets, every single krona contributed by Sweden enables up to three times the amount to be lent to Ukraine. Sweden’s current contribution comes in addition to the guarantee to the World Bank that the Government announced on 29 May 2026. The guarantee has enabled new loans to Ukraine corresponding to approximately SEK 2.5 billion.