Sweden “If Ukraine did not defend itself, everything we value and you value would be destroyed” – Zelenskyi called on Swedes to rebuild Ukraine

Stockholm

All they stood in the hall and fell silent.

Soon the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi should address the public in the Swedish Parliament.

The parliament hall was full of parliamentarians and ministers, a public gallery of guests such as ambassadors and other guests.

Then, after minor communication problems, Zelenskyi appeared on the two large screens in the hall, received huge applause, and began to speak.

“It is an honor to speak to you,” Zelenskyi told lawmakers.

At the beginning of his speech, he highlighted the colors yellow and blue, which make up both the Ukrainian and Swedish flags.

“These colors have become perhaps the most popular colors in the world. They represent freedom for our countries. It is not a coincidence but a destiny. We stand together for freedom, peace and the value of every human being, ”Zelenskyi said through an interpreter.

President thanked Sweden for the support which, according to Zelensky, has been significant.

Sweden has provided Ukraine with both financial and armed support. On Thursday, Sweden will also go through the decision to send 5,000 more anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in addition to the previous 5,000.

Zelenskyi said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began a month ago, is Europe’s “darkest month since World War II.”

“Russia is bombing hospitals, universities and kindergartens,” he said.

“The death toll is in the thousands. If Ukraine did not defend itself, everything we value and you value would be destroyed. ”

Zelenskyi demanded that those responsible for the attack be convicted in a war crimes court.

Zelenskyi said Russia is also a threat to Sweden. He highlighted discussions on Russian television about Russia’s occupation of the Swedish island of Gotland.

The use of armed force must not become a winning strategy in Europe, Zelenskyi said.

There was also a lot of optimism in the speech of the President of Ukraine. Peace is possible. There will still be time for reconstruction in Ukraine, Zelenskyi said. And Sweden can play a key role in that.

“We are inviting Swedish architects to rebuild Ukraine. Sweden is the first country for which we are proposing such a project. You can help. We have common values. We are not just fighting for Ukraine, but for Europe as a whole. ”

At the end of his speech, Zelenskyi suggested that Ukraine should become a member of the EU and believed that Ukraine would receive support from Sweden in that process.

“Glory to Ukraine!” he ended his speech and made the listeners rise to applause. Honor to Ukraine.

Swedish prime minister Magdalena Andersson said after the speech that Zelensky’s words touched everyone.

“He has become a very strong leader and a symbol of the resistance of the entire Ukrainian people,” he told reporters at the State House.

Andersson agrees with Zelensky that Russia’s attack on Ukraine is also an attack on the sovereignty of European democracies.

“That’s why supporting Ukraine is so important,” he said.

Andersson said he would travel to Brussels later Thursday, where he would meet with the president of the United States, among others Joe Biden.

Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde considered Zelensky’s speech very strong.

“His way of speaking, his eyes, his determination, and also the grief that is visible. I have met him many times and he is a politician who knows what he wants and also says it. At the same time, he is very good at conveying feelings of anger, despair and sadness, ”Linde said.

Linde directly calls Russia’s actions in Ukraine war crimes.

“Under humanitarian law, the bombing of civilians and civilian targets is a war crime, and we can see it on television, anyone can see it. It’s a war crime. “

The US Biden has also invited the Russian president Vladimir Putinia war criminals.

According to Foreign Minister Linde, Sweden will respond to Zelensky’s wishes and take the initiative in rebuilding Ukraine, but he has not yet taken a position on how this will happen. Nor does he rule out the possibility of sending more armed support to Ukraine if the war continues.

Linde also commented on the passage in Zelensky’s speech where the president mentioned Gotland. According to the Foreign Minister, Sweden is not currently facing an armed threat. According to Linde, Sweden’s line on military alliance is still unchanged, but discussions between the parties on security policy are ongoing.

Opposition party chairman of the moderate coalition Ulf Kristersson in turn, would take Sweden to NATO already in the spring together with Finland.

“I see it as a real opportunity. I am impressed with the Finnish process. Now Finland is leading the way. I would like Sweden to be more active so that we can make a joint decision, ”says Kristersson.

According to the opposition leader, the Swedish government’s non-position on NATO should not be interpreted as meaning that Sweden would not want to join NATO together with Finland.

“The vast majority in Sweden would like to go hand in hand with Finland. I am of the opinion that it should happen already in the spring. ”

Kristersson considered Zelensky’s speech very important.

“It was a historic speech. A mixture of the deepest seriousness about what Russia has done in Ukraine, but at the same time fantastically impressive optimism that everything will be rebuilt together with other countries. ”

There is now a broad consensus in Sweden to send armed aid to Ukraine, as the Left Party also turned its support for armed aid. Kristersson also considers it possible that further armed assistance will be provided to Ukraine in the future.

“Sweden has a large domestic arms industry, so we are well placed to help.”

Central Party chairman Annie Lööf also saw Zelensky’s speech as significant and moving.

“I was impressed with how he was looking to the future in the midst of all that darkness. That is hope. ”

According to Lööf, the reconstruction of Ukraine will require the cooperation of the whole of Europe, which he compared to the US post-World War II Marshall aid to Europe.

“Sweden and other EU countries should make a clear decision that after Russia surrenders, we will be involved in reconstruction.”

The Swedish Center Party has said it is in favor of NATO membership. Annie Lööf considers it important that in both Finland and Sweden, the parties are now discussing security policy.

“The Center Party is of the opinion that Sweden should be in NATO together with Finland. Such a serious issue requires a wide-ranging and in-depth discussion in which different risks are weighed. Personally, I see that NATO membership would serve Sweden’s security. The application requires close discussions with Finland and extensive support from Swedish parties, ”he said.