Swedish PM expresses support for Ukrainians in Christmas speech

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed support for Ukrainians in his Christmas speech on December 21.

"We have come together at Christmas in difficult times. <...> Many Ukrainian families will soon celebrate Christmas with an empty seat at the dinner table," he said during the speech, which was broadcast on the government office's YouTube channel.

Kristersson also emphasized that Sweden will support Ukraine as long as necessary.

In addition, in the speech, the Prime Minister touched on such topics as the conflict in the Middle East, the country's accession to NATO, inflation, migration, falling birth rates and the work of the government.

Weaponization: EU spends more than €47 billion on military aid to Kiev

Will the Union be able to single-handedly support Ukraine if the US under Trump changes its policy

Earlier, on December 19, the EU leaders, following the summit in Brussels, confirmed their intention to continue supporting Kiev, including military support. The country intends to allocate €30.6 billion in 2025: €12.5 billion from the European Fund to support Ukraine and €18.1 billion from the program of G7 loans for €45 billion with repayment from the proceeds of Russian assets.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine against the backdrop of Russia's special operation to protect Donbass, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.