The prime ministers of the Nordic countries participated in a press conference together with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj on Monday evening outside Reykjavik in connection with the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Ulf Kristersson accounted for the distribution of Sweden's latest support package.
What we are doing now, on the Swedish part, is important, together with the Danish: to increase production capacity within Ukraine, he says to TT.
Sweden's 490 million in funds to the Ukrainian defense forces can be used for hunter drones within the framework of Ukraine's F16 program, training of the country's marine infantry or for procurement of mine clearance.
This is an effective and fast way to support Ukraine, says Kristersson at the press conference.
"Smarter and faster"
The Swedish government decided on Thursday to give 230 million kronor to a Danish initiative that supports procurement of defense equipment produced in Ukraine.
We have once again agreed to continue our strong Nordic support. In my opinion, the best way to support Ukraine is to support your own defense industry. You work smarter and faster, and do it cheaper than the rest of us. I am glad that all friends support this initiative, says Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Zelenskyj thanks Sweden
Sweden will also contribute to NATO's fund for Ukraine, which procures military equipment.
Total, the two Swedish initiatives amount to 720 million kronor, funds that were announced in previous support packages to Ukraine.
I want to thank Sweden for the defense support that has contributed to protecting our people and especially for the help in preparing for winter, says Volodymyr Zelenskyj, referring to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy system.
Big thanks to you, Prime Minister, for these support packages.
David Hjorter/TT
Anna Hansson/TT
The Nordic countries' support to Ukraine
TTTT
The Nordic countries are the largest donors to Ukraine in the EU in terms of pure money. NB8 – the five Nordic countries and the Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – have given Ukraine the most support in the world, seen in relation to the countries' GDP, according to the German Kiel Institute's compilation.
Denmark's and Estonia's bilateral support is the highest in the world seen in relation to GDP – 1.9 percent. Sweden's support seen in relation to GDP is 0.9 percent and the USA's is 0.4.
