Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that his country's main message at the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara will be support for Ukraine.
At a joint press conference with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard in Stockholm, Kristersson noted that the summit will take place amid 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 stated that the international community is questioning Russia's stance, and said, "The most important question everyone is asking ahead of the Ankara summit is: What will Russia, which does not want negotiations but apparently cannot achieve victory either, do?"
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 been reopened to limited ship traffic and expressed hope for steps toward lasting peace.
The Three Main Agenda Items of the Summit
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 monitoring the commitment to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense, adopted at the last summit, and building a stronger European pillar within the Alliance. He added that the defense industry issue will be addressed at the Defense Industry Forum to be held as part of the summit.
Support for Ukraine a 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. It is a genuine 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.
Describing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's attendance at the dinner on the first day of the summit as "a very important signal," Kristersson said that allies will also discuss implementation of the decision taken a year ago in The Hague to allocate 5 percent of GDP to defense. This target is to be achieved by all member countries by 2030 at the latest.
Sweden's Defense Industry on Export Offensive
Kristersson announced that they have achieved significant successes in the defense industry in recent months. He disclosed the sale of 16 new model Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, three A26 submarines to Poland, and that negotiations have begun with Canada for six GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft.
The Swedish Prime Minister noted that defense industry exports have increased by 70 percent during his government's term. "As NATO restructures its defense, this process is increasingly being carried out with Swedish hands. 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, is now making a contribution to NATO that goes far beyond its own strong defense," he said.
Foreign Minister Stresses Ukraine Support
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated that in addition to leaders, foreign and defense ministers will also attend the Ankara summit, which will provide a busy diplomatic program. She announced that on the sidelines of the summit, a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas is planned, as well as a meeting with 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 Ukraine's generously shared innovation capacity and combat experience," she said.
