On 19 August 2023, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Sweden. During the visit, several ministers took part in the talks. Mr Zelenskyy and Ms Zelenska were also received by His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen. Mr Kristersson also hosted meetings with the Speaker of the Riksdag, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and all party leaders.
“The visit highlights the close and strong relations between Sweden and Ukraine. It also shows that our support is important and contributes to Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s full-scale invasion. I stressed once again that Sweden will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary,” says Mr Kristersson.
Zelenskyy thanked the head of the Swedish government and the people of Sweden for the vital support of Ukraine and Ukrainians.
Zelenskyy also thanked for the condolences expressed by Kristersson over the Russian missile attack on the city of Chernihiv, killing seven Ukrainians and injuring about 90.
“We deal with such vile Russian terrorist attacks, unfortunately, daily. Every day while this criminal aggression continues. The only way to stop it is to expel the Russian invaders from our land. Physically defeat Russia on the battlefield. Unfortunately, they will not understand anything else in the Kremlin,” the President of Ukraine said at a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with the Prime Minister of Sweden.
During the visit, Mr Kristersson and Mr Zelenskyy signed a Statement of Intent on enhanced cooperation between Sweden and Ukraine concerning Combat Vehicle 90. During the press conference, Mr Kristersson said that the Statement of Intent is a concrete testament of Sweden’s and Ukraine’s shared desire to enhance cooperation on the production, training and maintenance of the Combat Vehicle 90 system.
“Our warriors highly praise the СV90 and are grateful not only for the fact that they are advancing with the help of these vehicles, but also for the fact that the CV90 vehicles help save and protect the lives of our warriors. Life is the most valuable,” said Zelenskyy.
These talks covered Sweden’s continued military support, including the prospects for future deliveries of combat aircraft, Ukraine’s peace plan and Sweden’s support for Ukraine’s EU membership.
Sweden’s military support to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion amounts to more than SEK 20 billion. In addition to the Combat Vehicle 90 system, this support includes Leopard tanks, the Archer Artillery System, advanced anti-aircraft systems, ammunition, mine-clearance equipment and personal protective equipment.
The Ukrainian head of state also thanked Kristersson for the fact that, in accordance with the agreements, Ukrainian soldiers began training on Archer artillery systems.
In addition, Ukrainian pilots began test trials on Swedish Gripen fighters. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the possibility of Ukraine receiving these aircraft.
The two parts also discussed accelerating the supply of Swedish high-tech pumping equipment to provide drinking water to dozens of Ukrainian cities suffering from a lack of it after Russia destroyed the dam at the Kakhovska HPP.
Sweden’s overall support to Ukraine during this period amounts to SEK 26 billion and includes humanitarian assistance, financial support, support for reconstruction and support for civil crisis response. On 17 July, the Government adopted a strategy for Sweden’s reconstruction and reform cooperation with Ukraine comprising SEK 6 billion. During the visit, Mr Kristersson also presented a Ukrainian translation of this strategy.
“Sweden will be with us in the post-war transformation – I thank you for that. We also discussed the possibility of patronage over Ukrainian regions and industries that need recovery after the Russian strikes,” Zelenskyy said.
