King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden exceptionally received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday at his summer residence in the palace in Stenhammar near Stockholm.
Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife in Sweden. They met with King Carl XVI Gustaf
As noted by the Swedish media, official audiences usually take place at the Royal Palace in the capital, and the king performing representative functions rarely comments on current events.
According to a statement from the royal court, Carl XVI Gustav spoke with Zelensky for an hour, assuring him of support for the Ukrainian nation. Olena, who was accompanying the president, discussed the difficult situation of children in Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia, at a meeting with Queen Silvia of Sweden.
Earlier on Saturday, Olena Zelenska visited a group of Ukrainians, soldiers and civilians, staying in Sweden for treatment at a hospital in Solna near Stockholm. She was accompanied by the wife of the Prime Minister of Sweden, Birgitta Ed, who is a pastor.
In Harspund, 120 km from Stockholm, the head of the Swedish government, Ulf Kristersson, and President Zelensky agreed to produce the Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicles in Ukraine.
Zelensky thanked Sweden for comprehensive support for Ukraine in its fight for independence and territorial integrity.
“We greatly appreciate Sweden's powerful assistance in all possible directions. This is a significant contribution to the struggle of Ukrainians for freedom and a European future,” he said.
The president noted Sweden's support for Ukrainian refugees and thanked the royal family “for their great attention to the needs of these people”.
Zelensky also spoke about the consequences of the aggressive war unleashed by the Russian Federation and separately thanked the Swedish side for humanitarian aid for victims in Ukraine.
Zelensky also met with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the heads of the parties represented in the parliament. "I personally thank Sweden for supporting our fight for freedom and independence", Zelensky wrote.
"Our main task is to strengthen Ukrainian troops on land and in the air, develop bilateral cooperation, in particular - in the defense industry, European integration of Ukraine and common security in the Euro-Atlantic space," announced the Ukrainian president.
Recall that on August 15, the Swedish government announced the thirteenth aid package for Ukraine, which mainly includes ammunition and spare parts for military equipment from previous aid packages. The total value of the latest support is 3.4 billion crowns (290 million euros).