On 18 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard presented the Government’s 2026 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. The Government’s foremost foreign policy priorities are support to Ukraine and increased pressure on Russia, stronger cooperation in security and trade, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“We have chosen to protect the security of Sweden and the Swedish people. Sweden’s NATO membership makes our country more secure. We do not stand alone in troubled times,” says Ms Malmer Stenergard.
The Statement of Foreign Policy, which summarises the Government’s foreign policy priorities for 2026, contains a number of focus areas.
Support to Ukraine is the Government’s foremost foreign policy priority. Sweden’s support to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion totals around SEK 114 billion.
“How the war ends will affect security in Europe for at least a generation going forward. For this reason, support to Ukraine continues to be the Government’s foremost foreign policy priority,” says Ms Malmer Stenergard.
The Government remains committed to its two-point plan: more support to Ukraine and increased pressure on Russia.
The Government is developing closer relations with Allies and partners in Sweden’s neighbourhood, particularly within Nordic and Nordic-Baltic cooperation, and within the EU – Sweden’s most important foreign policy platform.
“We must harness the strength of the Swedish economy, arm our defence and work even more closely together with our Allies and partners,” says Ms Malmer Stenergard.
As a NATO member, Sweden is making contributions on land, at sea and in the air. Sweden will also contribute combat aircraft to the Arctic Sentry NATO activity and will host the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Helsingborg.
Free trade agreements between the EU and India, and between the EU and MERCOSUR, are progress for free trade globally.
“We see an increased need for international cooperation at the nexus of technology, innovation, trade and security. Only a growing economy will enable us to equip our defence and ensure preparedness in tougher times. A strong Swedish economy builds security in uncertain times,” says Ms Malmer Stenergard.
Gender equality is a core value of Swedish foreign policy.
“It is a human rights issue and a priority area for Sweden in the UN and for our development assistance. Swedish development assistance must help increase access to pre-natal and maternity care, comprehensive sexuality education and measures to combat all forms of sexual and gender-based violence,” says Ms Malmer Stenergard.
Read the full statement on Statement of Foreign Policy 2026 - Government.se
Read the press release on Support to Ukraine, security policy cooperation and gender equality in focus for this year’s Statement of Foreign Policy - Government.se
