Foreign and security policy

In light of the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, the EU has adopted sanctions against six Russian individuals under the chemical weapons sanctions regime. In June, listings of seven individuals and one entity were also adopted under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which was established because of the internal oppression in Russia.

The Government has adopted a new support package for global health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), totalling SEK 250 million for 2026. The health package consolidates Sweden’s commitment to improving the health of the most vulnerable through vaccines in low- and middle-income countries and increased access to maternal and newborn care where the needs are greatest.

On 2 July, the Government appointed Charlotte Kugelberg as Head of the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations.

Today, 7 July, in connection with the NATO Summit in Ankara, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO has chosen Saab’s GlobalEye as its new Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C). This means that NATO will open negotiations with Saab to purchase up to 10 GlobalEye aircraft.

On 2 July 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard announced that the Swedish names of the Embassy of Sweden in Kyiv and the Honorary Consulate of Sweden in Odesa will be changed to reflect the Ukrainian names for Kyiv and Odesa, respectively.

On 7–8 July, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and Minister for Defence Pål Jonson will take part in the NATO Summit in Ankara. The Government will hold two press conferences on site in Türkiye.

On Saturday 4 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will receive China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi for a bilateral meeting. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will also receive Mr Wang for a courtesy visit.

On 29 June, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited Gdynia, Poland for government-level talks. The meeting focused on strengthened bilateral cooperation between Sweden and Poland in the areas of regional security and defence. Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand, Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson and Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz also took part on the trip.

The two earthquakes in Venezuela on 24 June have had a profound impact on the Venezuelan people and exacerbated an already difficult humanitarian situation. Sweden is now providing SEK 25 million in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela to support initiatives such as the distribution of food packages, access to clean water, temporary emergency shelter, protection of vulnerable groups and reunification of children and families who have been separated.

Support for Ukraine’s path towards EU membership is an important part of Sweden’s foreign and security policy. Integrating Ukraine into European structures contributes to security and stability in our neighbourhood and strengthens Europe’s resilience to external threats.

Joint statement of the Heads of Government of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, Tallinn, 9 June 2026.

The Government has adopted nine new development assistance strategies which will provide a total of around SEK 6 billion for development cooperation in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The new development assistance will be based on evidence of what works and produces concrete results.

Sweden and Poland have successfully finalised negotiations on Poland’s procurement of three A26 submarines from Saab. This agreement is a significant step in strengthening Poland’s maritime capability, while also helping the countries deepen their collaboration on security and industrial policy.

Belgium, Denmark, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as members of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), chaired by Sweden, issue the following statement:

Last winter, Ukraine’s electrical grid and power plants were intensively attacked by Russia. Ukraine must now make extensive efforts to ensure the energy supply for the coming winter. The Swedish Government has therefore approved a new support package for Ukraine worth approximately SEK 1.5 billion to support the country’s energy sector in 2026. It is expected to contribute to preparation through repairs, installation of new energy production, material support and enhanced nuclear safety.

On Monday 29 June, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will travel with several ministers to Gdynia, Poland for intergovernmental consultations. The focus will be on strengthened bilateral cooperation between Sweden and Poland, specifically with regard to regional security and defence. Mr Kristersson and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk will hold a joint press conference during which they will announce a new development in the countries’ bilateral submarine cooperation.

The overarching and long-term objective of Sweden’s Arctic policy is a peaceful and secure Arctic, with sustainable, robust and attractive communities and reduced environmental and climate impact.

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.

Albania, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States of America condemn the lethal plotting and other malign actions in Europe, North America and Australia by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Intelligence Organisation, Quds Force and Ministry of Intelligence and Security, including those against Iranian dissidents, journalists and Jewish and Israeli communities and interests. We stand united in our determination to protect our countries and our people against these threats. The Islamic Republic of Iran must halt these actions now.

On 8–10 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The visit will focus on the regional crisis and Sweden’s bilateral relations with the Gulf States.