PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Sweden agreed on a joint statement on key issues of bilateral relations

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 4 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden Magdalena Andersson who is visiting our country.

Greeting the head of the Swedish government in Kyiv, he noted that this visit was extremely symbolic and effective.

“Today we agreed on a joint statement with the Prime Minister. This is the first such document in the history of bilateral relations. The joint statement sets out key issues for both our states. This applies, in particular, to defense cooperation, sectoral cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy, energy efficiency, and financial support for Ukraine. I am very grateful to Sweden for supporting our course towards full accession to the European Union in the future,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives following the meeting with Magdalena Andersson.

According to the Head of State, in addition to defense, economic and energy issues, the parties discussed the strengthening of sanctions against the Russian Federation for the war it unleashed on Ukrainian soil.

“During the negotiations, I informed Mrs. Andersson about the situation on the frontline, about the existing threats, in great detail – about what we have already succeeded in on this vitally important path of liberating our territory from the Russian military. Thank you for your willingness to continue supporting Ukraine,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President also congratulated Sweden and the Prime Minister personally on the historic decision of the NATO Summit in Madrid on the country’s accession to the Alliance under an accelerated procedure.

“Ukraine has taken note of this decision and this procedure. We support your choice of collective security guarantees, and I can state that this decision will significantly expand the security space in Europe,” he emphasized.

The President noted that before the meeting, Magdalena Andersson visited the districts of the Kyiv region that were destroyed by the Russian invaders and personally saw the extent of the evil that Russia has brought to the territory of Ukraine.

“Together with other civilized members of the international community, we must do everything necessary to bring all Russian war criminals to justice,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the reconstruction of Ukraine. The President expressed hope that Sweden will join this process.

“I would especially like to note the experience of Sweden in the field of energy saving, energy efficiency and in the implementation of the environmental agenda, in particular, it concerns the issue of waste processing. I invited Sweden to participate in the construction of such new modern plants in Ukraine. The preparation of relevant documents should begin immediately at the level of our governments. We will wait for Sweden’s support for this proposal,” the Head of State emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Sweden for the humanitarian support of Ukraine and our citizens.

“One hundred thousand Ukrainian citizens are in Sweden, and Sweden supports them. We will remember your sincere attention to the citizens of Ukraine in this difficult time of the Russian war,” said the President.

For her part, Magdalena Andersson noted that her visit demonstrates Sweden’s support and solidarity with the Ukrainian state and its people at this difficult time.

She informed about the transfer to the President of a copy of the letter of 1711, kept in the National Archives of Sweden. In it, King Charles XII instructs the Swedish ambassador in Constantinople to recognize Zaporizhzhia Sich as an independent state. According to Magdalena Andersson, already at the beginning of the XVIII century, the Swedish King was impressed by Cossack democracy.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed the media representatives this document and read a fragment that, in his opinion, is extremely relevant today: “… to implement as soon as possible the article about the will of Ukraine and all Cossacks that all Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhia Army under the current commander Pylyp Orlyk regain the ancient freedom, possession of their land and its former borders, so that from now on this people will become an independent state and never again be subject to the obedience or protection of the king.”

Magdalena Andersson also strongly condemned the crimes against the civilian population, including children, and the destruction caused to Ukraine.

She noted that Russia’s actions to block Ukrainian ports and the Black Sea undermine the food security of Ukraine and the world.

“Russian aggression against Ukraine must be stopped. Russia cannot be allowed to achieve any goals by destroying the foundations of international law. We must continue to support Ukraine, put pressure on Russia, particularly through sanctions, and our efforts must continue as long as necessary,” she said.

Magdalena Andersson congratulated Ukraine on gaining the status of a candidate for EU membership and noted that she consistently supports reforms in our country, which continue even in such difficult times.

“I know that Ukraine will rebuild what Russia destroyed. And you will not be alone in this. Together with the rest of the European family, we will take an active part in the reconstruction of your beautiful country,” the Prime Minister assured.