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. The monarch assured the head of the Ukrainian state of support for the Ukrainian people.
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, the wife accompanying the president, at a meeting with the queen Sweden Sylwia raised the subject of the difficult situation of children in the attacked by Russia Ukraine.
Earlier on Saturday Olena Zelenska in the hospital in Solna near Stockholm, she visited a group of Ukrainians, soldiers and civilians staying in Sweden for treatment. 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 for Ukraine.
Zalenski’s visit to SwedenPAP/EPA/JONAS EXTROMER
Visit to Sweden
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.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Ulf KristerssonPAP/EPA/JONAS EXTROMER
Thirteenth aid package
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).
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JONAS EXTROMER