The basic purpose is to meet Zelenskyj in person before we have a meeting with the coalition that helps Ukraine in various ways tomorrow. To strengthen him before those talks and send a clear signal to the USA that we stand very firmly behind Ukraine, said Ulf Kristersson (M) to TT before the meeting.
In a joint statement afterwards, the leaders warn of Russia's increasingly close cooperation with Iran, North Korea and China, a highly topical issue since the leaders of these countries met in Beijing this week. "This moment requires a stronger collective response", writes NB8, an abbreviation for the Nordic-Baltic cooperation.
"We call for swift decisions on and rigorous implementation of new sanctions" against Russia and other countries that help in the war effort, it says.
No major decisions
However, no concrete results of the talks at Marienborg Castle are mentioned. Perhaps they are waiting for such things until the further talks that are now taking place in Paris, among others, for Zelenskyj.
According to Ulf Kristersson, the Marienborg meeting was not about making any major decisions.
The Nordic-Baltic countries have made their decisions, both that we can support economically and militarily, he said.
This is our way of showing the USA that there is a lot of firm European support for Ukraine, but that we need to know that the USA is also on that journey.
President Zelenskyj was asked at a press conference after the meeting if he trusts Donald Trump.
He (Trump) says that with the USA's pressure, he can pressure Putin into negotiations. If Putin does not want that, I have asked him to exert pressure on Russia with everything he can.
And when we talk about pressure, we mean air defense, arms agreements and sanctions. He gave Putin a few weeks. They are running out, says Zelenskyj.
In connection with tomorrow's summit in Paris, he will therefore try to get in touch with Trump and talk to him about this.
Unique capabilities
French President Emmanuel Macron has invited to the summit, and Zelenskyj signals that he will meet Macron as early as Wednesday evening.
"I thank everyone who helps. Every Russian attack must be met with a clear response", he writes, after intense Russian attacks during the night.
Kristersson will participate digitally in Thursday's summit. He hopes that more countries "step forward".
There are quite a few countries that have not done so. All countries must say what they can contribute in the air, on the ground and so on, given that the USA is involved.
He emphasizes that American participation is important.
The USA has a number of capabilities that almost only the USA has. They must be involved if we are to be able to support Ukraine in the long term.
