Sweden's support to Ukraine

On May 28th 2026 the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a Joint Declaration on Enhanced Security and Defence Cooperation.

The Government has decided to issue a second guarantee to the World Bank that will enable a loan to Ukraine of approximately SEK 2.5 billion. The loan will be used to cover basic things, such as public expenditure in the Ukrainian central government budget, following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

On 11–13 May, Minister for Health Care Elisabet Lann and Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson visited Kyiv and Lviv. The aim of their visit was to gain insight into Ukraine’s health and medical care and the situation for women during Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Today, on Thursday 28 May, Ukraine announced its intention to purchase 20 Gripen E/F aircraft as a first step following the Letter of Intent signed by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 22 October 2025. In conjunction with the sale, Sweden will donate up to 16 JAS 39 Gripen C/D aircraft from the Swedish Armed Forces’ current fleet, together with advanced ammunition. To replace these donated aircraft, new modern Gripen E/F aircraft will be procured for the Swedish Air Force, in addition to those previously ordered.

Opinion piece by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard in The New York Times, 20 May 2026.

Germany is Sweden’s most important trading partner, and the world’s fourth-largest economy. On Wednesday 6 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Stockholm for a meeting on regional security policy, total defence and cooperation between Sweden and Germany.

On May 5-6 the Nordic Ministers of Defence gathered in Trøndelag under Norway's chairship of NORDEFCO in 2026.

On Tuesday 5 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda for a bilateral meeting in Stockholm. Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz also participated.

We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and government representatives of the NB8, met in Kuressaare, Estonia on 29-30 April 2026, at a time of rapid change in the international security environment, with heightened geopolitical tensions, Russia continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine, and an urgent need for Europe to step up and take greater responsibility for shaping its future.

On Wednesday 6 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is to receive Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a bilateral meeting in Stockholm.

The EU’s 20th package of sanctions includes comprehensive measures that hit the Russian economy, including Russia’s energy revenues and the shadow fleet. The package also includes measures against sanctions evasion, crypto services and access to sensitive technology used on the battlefield.

The Government is presenting a new support package focused on democracy and cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine of SEK 15.4 million for 2026–2028, SEK 8.7 million of which is for 2026. The support includes SEK 3 million to the National Democratic Institute (NDI), SEK 0.9 million to the Council of Europe and SEK 1.5 million to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) for 2026. The support to cultural heritage initiatives includes SEK 10 million to Gotlands Museum for 2026–2028.

The Government has decided on new support totalling SEK 12 million for initiatives preserving the cultural heritage of Ukraine through UNESCO for 2026–2027. The support will ensure the protection and long-term preservation of cultural heritage sites threatened by the war.

Today, 17 April, HM The King and Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard are visiting Lviv to show Sweden’s strong support for Ukraine.

Today, the Government is taking an important step to ensure accountability for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Through two Government Bills, it is proposed that Sweden join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and accede to the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. Sweden has played an active role in the establishment of both mechanisms.

On 31 March 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard is taking part in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Joint statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine.

Joint statement by the Leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), Helsinki, 26 March 2026.

The Government has presented a new support package to Ukraine for 2026 worth around SEK 240 million. The support includes SEK 150 million for the Ukrainian Red Cross for humanitarian operations. In addition, the support package is heavily focused on children’s needs, supporting the provision of school food in areas close to the frontline, promoting reforms for family-based care of children and supporting children’s mental health.

The Government has instructed the Swedish Armed Forces, Defence Materiel Administration and Swedish Defence Research Agency to increase their participation in the Electromagnetic Warfare Capability Coalition in support of Ukraine. The government agencies will contribute to managing and developing the work of the coalition.