Ukraine lost one of its biggest friends in the European Union, ex-Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, when September's parliamentary election in Sweden brought to power a different political coalition. In the Social Democrat/Green Party resurgence, Bildt's seat is now taken by Margot Wallström.
But Ukraine still remains on top of Swedish foreign policy agenda, its ambassador to Ukraine, Andreas von Beckerath, insists.
“One of the first cities our new foreign minister visited was Kyiv,” Beckerath told the Kyiv Post during an interview. “And the fact that we have our Prime Minister Stefan Löfven visiting Ukraine less than six months after taking office, I think, is a very strong signal that we are a steadfast supporter of Ukraine.”
Löfven is scheduled to visit Kyiv on March 10.
Sweden is taking an active stance in stopping Russia’s war against Ukraine, the ambassador explains. With more than 6,000 killed and one million displaced, the “unequivocal responsibility for this European tragedy lies on Russia. That’s our starting point,” Beckerath says.
“Given the brutal Russian aggression towards Ukraine, given the flagrant violation of international law through annexing Crimea, we must make sure to maintain the pressure against Russia including sanctions,” von Beckerath adds. “If the Russian aggression escalates, our belief is that the European Union needs to be ready to expand the sanctions.”
In terms of the security environment in the Baltic Sea there has been incidence giving cause for worry, the ambassador says. Sweden is looking to strengthen cooperation with other countries around the Baltic Sea in response.
“There is no plan to join NATO, we rather look at possibility to strengthen our cooperation with other Nordic and Baltic countries – so far that policy has served us well,” he says.
In 2014, Swedish government approved a 175 million-euro financial aid package for Ukrainian reform agenda over a seven-year period. Also last year, Sweden provided Ukraine with five million euros and promises four more in humanitarian aid.
“We firmly believe that the only way Ukraine can move closer to the EU is through the path of reforms,” ambassador says. Sweden possesses expertise in energy efficiency, decentralization, gender policy issues and is ready to share it.
Currently, Sweden’s Nordic Fund in Ukraine started 16 energy-efficiency projects with schools and hospitals.
Moreover, Sweden is known for having a developed civil society which might also be a valuable experience for Ukraine that undergoes radical reforms. “If there would be an Olympic event for the civil societies, I am sure that Ukraine would win the gold medal,” Beckerath said.
“In general, Ukraine hasn’t received a credit it deserves for the progress made during the last year,” the ambassador says. “Of course, we would like this progress to be bigger, but one must also be aware of the fact that Ukraine has been a victim of the Russian aggression. Despite the Russian aggression and economic hardships, the chances have never been better than now to make a fundamental reform of the Ukrainian society.”
As Swedish investments to Ukraine have been decreasing, the cumulative investment figure fell to $390 million as of October. “Big Swedish companies are now holding back on major investments to see whether or not the reforms will actually deliver concrete results,” Beckerath says.
The embassy organizes periodic meetings for Swedish businesses to communicate and share their vision on how Ukraine can improve its woeful investment climate.
Being fond of Ukraine, Beckerath regrets he did not manage to study the Ukrainian language and hopes he will have a chance to travel more around the country. Taking a walk in Kyiv’s Shevchenko Park with his children is what the ambassador truly enjoys.
“It’s about the people you meet here that makes (the country so) special, their dignity and spirits,” he says. “Despite hardships, they keep high spirits and a good sense of humor. They are always very respectful and hospitable when meeting foreigners.”
Fluent in Russian, von Beckerath follows events through the local news media. Promoting independent journalism is key to fighting the toxic Russian propaganda,he concludes.
Kyiv Post staff writer Olena Gordiienko can be reached at [email protected].
