Since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by russia, Sweden has become one of Ukraine’s most important European allies. For more than a year of military aggression, Stockholm has provided support to Kyiv in the amount of €1.91 billion, including €347 million in aid funds, €570 million in military support, €152.6 million in humanitarian aid, €64.2 million in support of reconstruction and €27 million in support of reforms.
The Swedish government supports the EU candidate status for Ukraine. Also, Ukraine has the country’s support for its future status in the perspective of NATO membership. In addition to military, humanitarian and financial assistance, Sweden helps Ukraine to fight in the media.
The Swedish Government has approved a new strategy for cooperation with Ukraine on recovery and reforms, which provides for the allocation of about €522 million over 5 years. It covers five directions of support: recovery; green transformation and balanced development; inclusive economic development; security; and human rights, democracy, rule of law and gender equality.
Sweden has allocated €27 million to Ukraine energy sector. In addition, Sweden will allocate funds to support the IAEA mission, which is currently working at all Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
In February 2023, the Swedish Parliament decided to allocate SEK 4.3 billion ($406.7 million) in military aid to Ukraine. Sweden will provide Ukraine with military equipment, including anti-tank weapons, demining equipment, Robot 57 light weapons, and Swedish CV 90 infantry fighting vehicles. During this spring, the Armed Forces of Sweden instructed the Ukrainian military on the use of the CV90.
Additionally, on June 16, the Swedish government decided to allocate 250 million SEK in military aid, which will include both weapons and training for Ukrainian pilots on JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.
Furthermore, in June 2023, the Government of Sweden unveiled a new package of assistance to Ukraine for humanitarian and reconstruction needs worth SEK 380 million (€32.51 million). These funds will be used to purchase medicines, sanitary and water treatment products. In addition, Sweden will provide funding to the United Nations Development Programme to rebuild Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and purchase equipment to maintain critical electricity supplies.
Since March 2022, the Swedish NGO Help Ukraine Gothenburg has been sending tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Among the items are warm clothes, food, diapers, stoves, generators, and fire extinguishers. The organisation also donated a mobile medical outpatient clinic, 7 ambulances and a fire truck to Ukraine. In addition, dialysis machines and defibrillators were sent to Ukraine.
The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority for both countries. The analysis of export and import operations of Dnipropetrovsk region with Sweden demonstrates a high level of partnership, as the country is an important commercial partner of the region.
According to the results of 2022, the volume of exported goods from Dnipropetrovsk region totalled $3.1 million. Goods in demand among Swedish consumers include ferrous metals and products thereof, furniture, railway locomotive parts, ships, edible fruits and nuts, etc.
Export operations were carried out by 25 companies from Dnipropetrovsk region. The main exporting companies are metallurgical plants, machine-building, processing and agricultural enterprises.
TOP-5 exporting companies (ranked by export volume):
Imports of goods from Sweden to Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to $36.9 million and decreased by 16% compared to 2021. Dnipropetrovsk region purchased pharmaceuticals, ferrous metals, machinery and equipment, paper and cardboard, and other goods.
Import operations were carried out by 101 importers.
TOP-5 importers (ranked by volume of imported products):
Import operations were mainly carried out by pharmaceutical, trade, and food processing companies.
Source: information for the article was taken from open online sources
