Dear Ukrainians!
Today – Lviv, a visit to Ukraine by the King of Sweden, which is an important demonstration of respect for our people and our state. His Majesty is already in Ukraine for the second time since the restoration of our independence. He is accompanied by a government delegation, and we have many areas of cooperation with Sweden, first and foremost in defense. We are preparing to expand our combat aviation fleet with Gripen aircraft – we are working on this in detail.
As soon as the European package for Ukraine is unblocked, it will unlock funding for such strong defense capabilities – both for immediate protection and for the future. It is essential that there is not even a hint of any weakening of Ukraine – only then will diplomacy work over time.
Together with Sweden, we are also seeking solutions to strengthen our air defense. The top priority is protection against missiles, against ballistic threats. We discussed these issues today. Because of the war in Iran, there are risks to the supply of weapons to Ukraine. I thank all our partners who are ready to help and to find ways to address this: Germany, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, and now Sweden – also visiting Ukraine. The visits this week were specifically about this: ensuring that in the spring and summer we can maintain Ukraine’s resilience and strength, and that Russia has no temptation to think that rising oil prices and global instability can somehow benefit it in this war.
Virtually every day, at both the political and military levels, we are in communication with our partners to strengthen air defense. We are seeking anti-ballistic capabilities. Most importantly, we are moving toward conditions in which we will be able to produce air defense in Ukraine and together with our partners – all the necessary formats, systems, missiles, and so on. This is a serious strategic task for Ukraine – a real task that will guarantee protection for decades.
Among the security guarantees we are considering for Ukraine are weapons packages, the ability to produce the necessary weapons, and therefore licenses and an industrial base for this. These are key priorities.
Today, I will also take part in a meeting on the Strait of Hormuz – many leaders are gathering for coordination to ensure security in the Strait. The world now clearly knows where this strait is and why it is so important. And what is being said about it today is very similar to what we were saying about the Black Sea in 2022 and 2023, when the Russians tried to block our access to the Black Sea.
Ukraine solved that challenge. Now the entire world sees that maritime security is a global value, not just someone’s local issue. Security must be protected together – and we hope that our partners’ conclusions from all current challenges will be strong.
I thank everyone who truly protects our lives from terror.
I thank everyone who supports Ukraine. I thank all Ukrainians.
Glory to Ukraine!