Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that his country's main message at the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara will be support for Ukraine.
At a joint press conference in Stockholm with Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Kristersson stated that the summit will take place in an environment of global instability. He said that the Russia-Ukraine war continues at high intensity, but that Russian forces have been unable to make significant advances.
The Swedish Prime Minister noted that global public opinion is questioning Russia's stance, and said, "The most important question everyone is asking ahead of the summit in Ankara is: What will Russia do, as it does not want to negotiate yet apparently cannot achieve victory either?"
Kristersson also touched on the situation in the Middle East, noting that uncertainty prevailed in the region during the spring months, but that partial stability has been achieved recently. He recalled that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened to limited ship traffic, and expressed that they expect steps toward lasting peace.
The summit's three main agenda items
Kristersson said he shared the three priorities set by the NATO Secretary General: "burden sharing", "strengthening the defense industrial base", and "long-term support for Ukraine".
He explained that burden sharing means overseeing the commitment, adopted at the last summit, to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense and building a stronger European pillar within the Alliance. He stated that the defense industry issue will be addressed at the Defense Industry Forum to be held as part of the summit.
Support for Ukraine is foreign policy priority
The Swedish Prime Minister stressed that support for Ukraine is of vital importance for Stockholm. "Support for Ukraine is Sweden's main foreign policy priority. This is a real investment in European security, and Sweden is playing a leading role in this regard. Our main message in Ankara will likely be this," he said.
Kristersson described the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the dinner on the first day of the summit as "a very important sign", and said that the allies will also discuss the implementation of the decision taken a year ago in The Hague to allocate 5 percent of GDP to defense. This target must be met by all member countries by 2030 at the latest.
Swedish defense industry exports surge
Kristersson announced that they have achieved significant successes in the defense industry in recent months. He disclosed that 16 new-model Gripen fighter jets have been sold to Ukraine, three A26 submarines to Poland, and that talks have begun with Canada for six GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft.
The Swedish Prime Minister stated that defense industry exports increased by 70 percent during his government's term. "As NATO restructures its defense, this process is increasingly being carried out by Sweden. This is quite remarkable. This success is the result of the joint effort of both Swedish companies and the Swedish government. The defense industry is no longer seen as an unstable sector struggling for financing in the markets; on the contrary, it is recognized as a vital resource for protecting democracy in our region. It is clear that Sweden, a country of engineers, now makes a contribution to NATO far beyond its own strong defense," he said.
Foreign Minister emphasizes Ukraine
Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard stated that, in addition to the leaders, foreign and defense ministers will also attend the summit in Ankara, which will provide a busy diplomatic program. She announced that on the margins of the summit, a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas is planned, as well as a meeting with the partners of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.
Stenergard emphasized that Ukraine, which is resisting Russia, is a key partner for NATO. "Ukraine contributes not only to its own security but also to ours. We all need to learn from the innovation capacity and combat experience that Ukraine generously shares," she said.
