Address by

General Michael CLAESSON
Chief of Defence of Sweden
to the Kyiv Security Forum
8 May 2025

Your Excellencies, dear Ukrainian friends and colleagues, all participants in the
17th Kyiv Security Forum. Unfortunately, I cannot attend in person during this
year's Kyiv Security Forum, but I'm happy that Major General Corneliusson is
representing the Swedish Armed Forces.

When I visited Ukraine in February, I was truly impressed by the capabilities, the
discipline, and endurance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian ability
for rapid and flexible civil-military cooperation and innovation is outstanding and
represents an area from which we can derive significant lessons.

During my visit, I was also profoundly impressed by the strong sense of resilience
manifested by the entire Ukrainian population. Clearly, the battle is not confined
solely to the battlefield, the entire society is and must be involved.

Ukraine and the Ukrainian society has shown us that it is essential that the core
functions of society remains operational. When the fundamental pillars of society
function, then also the ability to withstand a military aggressor exists.

As you know, our willingness and commitment to provide continued support
remains steadfast, which is also manifested through the Swedish government's
decisions on numerous support packages. The latest package is the largest military support package from Sweden to Ukraine to date. The total value of Sweden's military support to Ukraine now amounts to approximately 6.4 billion euros.

The Swedish Government has been very clear about supporting Ukraine as long as it takes. Because it’s morally right, but also because the Ukrainian front constitutes the first line of defence for our freedom as well.

Let me conclude this message by underlining that we stand fully and firmly behind
Ukraine. Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia’s war of aggression, and
thus to ensure a just and lasting peace. Finally, I hope you will have good
discussions and a productive conference. Slava Ukraini!