The Swedish government has decided to provide a new humanitarian aid package of SEK110 million ($10.4 million) to Ukraine, which will be used to meet increased needs ahead of the winter period, the Swedish government website said Sunday.
“Russia has targeted civilian infrastructure and deprived Ukraine of much of its heat and electricity supply. Of course, the colder it gets, the more serious the consequences. Therefore, a significant part of the population is experiencing difficulties in heating their homes and cooking. That is why the government has decided to allocate 110 million crowns to a number of humanitarian organizations in Ukraine,” said Benjamin Dusa, Minister of Foreign Development and Foreign Trade.
The humanitarian package is distributed among four organizations. The Ukrainian Red Cross received SEK50 million; the support focuses on, among other things, guaranteed access to heat and electricity, distribution of food, hygiene products, medicines and water. UNHCR received SEK20 million; Sweden will contribute to help internally displaced persons prepare and protect themselves before and during the coming winter. UNDP received SEK30 million for demining. UNFPA will receive SEK10 million to address women’s sexual and reproductive health needs, prevent sexual and gender-based violence and support survivors of violence.
Earlier, on October 17, the Nordic and Baltic countries presented a new support package to Ukraine to repair damaged and replace destroyed energy systems with new ones before winter. Sweden’s contribution amounted to SEK320 million ($30 million).
“This support package is important to support the Ukrainian energy sector and help keep Ukrainian society functioning and Ukrainian homes warm,” Dusa said.
According to the government, Sweden has previously allocated a total of SEK57.4 billion ($5.4 billion) in support for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022: humanitarian, military and financial support, as well as support for reconstruction and reform work. Including the new support packages, Sweden’s total contribution will amount to more than SEK57.8 billion.
Including in 2024 alone, the Swedish government has decided to allocate a total of SEK1.8 billion for additional support for the Ukrainian energy sector. After two aid packages in October, this amount exceeded SEK2.2bn (over $210m).
The Swedish government has approved an additional SEK 500 million ($49 million) to support heating and electricity in Ukraine.
According to the Swedish government’s website, the new support is aimed at covering the needs of the most vulnerable people in the country. This new support will be provided in parallel with the extensive Swedish support already provided to Ukraine’s energy sector.
“Today, the government is allocating an additional SEK 500 million to support heating and electricity in Ukraine. Russia is increasingly targeting critical energy infrastructure. This new support will go to generate electricity for about 185,000 people and help support Ukrainian society, economy and business,” said Minister for International Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.
He emphasized that this is crucial for Ukraine’s resilience.
Minister of Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch noted that Sweden will continue to support Ukraine “as long as it takes”. “This SEK 500 million will be one of Sweden’s largest contributions to Ukraine’s energy supply and will help generate electricity for hospitals and thousands of Ukrainian homes,” she said.
The initiative includes two gas turbines for initial power generation. The production facility will be protected in a way that minimizes the devastating effects of Russian attacks.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency will be primarily responsible for Sweden’s contribution. The project is a joint investment with the Ukrainian state energy company and other international financial institutions. The goal is for this production facility to start operating in 2025.
The Swedish government has decided that Sweden’s electricity transmission system operator Svenska kraftnät can provide Ukraine with backup generators to maintain the country’s power supply.
According to the Swedish government’s website, the transfer includes 13 standby diesel generators that were due to be replaced in 2024, according to Svenska kraftnät’s maintenance plan. Instead of being disposed of or stored in a spare parts warehouse, the backup generators will be donated to Ukraine and used there. Regularly checking for surplus material during maintenance and reinvesting is a sustainable way to support Ukraine.
“Sweden will continue to support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy supply have been very large-scale, and the upcoming winter will be difficult. The transfer of 13 backup diesel power generators from Svenska kraftnät will make a difference. For example, they will be able to provide electricity to a hospital or be used in the power supply system itself to more effectively eliminate interruptions,” said Minister of Energy, Business and Industry Abba Bush.
Minister of International Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johann Forssell noted that today’s announcement is another step in the government’s priorities to support Ukraine.
“This is a concrete example of how Swedish support will help to restore the energy infrastructure that is in a difficult situation and heat Ukrainian homes this winter,” he said.
As reported, in May 2024, Sweden decided on a new energy package for Ukraine worth SEK 650 million. This support consists of SEK 500 million to the Energy Community’s Energy Support Fund for Ukraine and SEK 150 million through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Sweden will provide Ukraine with the 16th and largest military aid package since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Swedish government’s website reports.
It is noted that the new capabilities will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. The aid package amounts to 13.3 billion Swedish kronor ($1.3 billion) and meets Ukraine’s priority needs.
Sweden is providing radar reconnaissance and control aircraft (ASC 890) to Ukraine, thereby strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Sweden is transferring the entire Swedish fleet of Pansarbandvagn 302 (Pbv 302) to support the creation of new brigades in the Ukrainian army. Sweden will also send artillery ammunition and resources to maintain previously donated equipment.
Since Russia’s brutal offensive war, Sweden has allocated 43.5 billion kronor for military support to Ukraine.
The 16th military support package also includes: financial support for coalitions of capabilities; financial support for funds and initiatives that allow for the rapid and large-scale procurement of equipment for Ukraine. The Swedish Defense Research Agency will also be tasked with supporting Ukraine in establishing its own defense research institute.
As part of this package, the capabilities of Ukraine’s combat command are further strengthened by the transfer of terminals with satellite communications subscriptions.
The Swedish government intends to provide long-term support to Ukraine through a three-year military support program (2024-2026) totaling SEK 75 billion (EUR 6.5 billion), the Swedish government website reports.
“In order to strengthen Swedish support for Ukraine, as well as to strengthen the long-term perspective, the government and the Sweden Democrats agree to introduce a military support program for Ukraine for 2024-2026. Sweden will increase its support, and its volume will amount to SEK 75 billion in military support for 2024-2026, SEK 25 billion per year,” the statement said.
It is noted that Sweden’s total military and civilian support for Ukraine, taking into account this proposal, will amount to more than SEK 100 billion. Military support within Ukraine can, for example, take the form of free transfer of defense equipment, financial contributions and financial support for the purchase of defense equipment.
The government also noted that, depending on the type of support used, the program’s framework could burden public finances for several years and even beyond 2026.
Following the Russian invasion in February 2022, Sweden has allocated the equivalent of SEK 37 billion for various efforts to support Ukraine. In particular, through 15 military support packages totaling about SEK 30 billion, and that Ukraine is now the largest country where Swedish aid is directed.
From April 24 to May 7, 2024, Sweden will host the European Festival: Ukrainian Spring, which this year will bring together 12 cultural events. Stockholm will host a variety of events that reflect Ukraine’s interaction with the European cultural context in different ways.
The concept of the festival is to present Ukraine as an integral part of the common European cultural heritage. This connection is emphasized by the festival’s slogan: “Reflections in each other’s eyes – Ukraine in Europe and Europe in Ukraine.”
The organizers are convinced that today the ultimate goal of all cultural events dedicated to Ukraine abroad should be to focus public attention on Ukraine’s struggle and victory in the war unleashed by Russia. And the primary task is to once again remind people of the need for increased assistance to protect us from the aggressor.
Therefore, this year, each of the 12 days of the festival will be dedicated to one of the Ukrainian artists who went to defend their country and died at the front.
