Kristersson’s National Day greeting: “Our duty to help Ukraine”

Sweden’s National Day commemorates Gustav Vasa’s victory in the War of Liberation against foreign rule and how Sweden became an independent kingdom more than 500 years ago.

But Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s focus on June 6 is not on Swedishness, history, heritage or traditions – instead, he is using the occasion to lobby for continued Swedish support for Ukraine and to praise Sweden’s NATO membership.

“We are a country where equality and gender equality are guiding principles, along with peace and freedom. In our country you are free to love whomever you want, and children have their own rights”, he proclaims in an opinion piece in the tabloid Aftonbladet.

But this peace and freedom, according to the prime minister, is threatened by “the Russian war of invasion in Ukraine” – and whatever happens, it is of the utmost importance that Sweden does not cut back on arms supplies.

“The Ukrainian people are fighting not only for their own freedom, but also for ours. It is and will remain our historic duty as a country to help Ukraine, as long as it takes”.

That there is no limit to the amount of money and weapons Sweden should send to Kiev, regardless of how it affects its own country, has long been a recurring message repeated by Swedish politicians.

According to Kristersson, it is “legitimate to disagree on big and small political issues” – but we must “stand together for the freedom and security of our country”.

“NATO makes Sweden safer”

“Take the war in Ukraine as an example. In Parliament, we are far from agreeing on everything – but we do agree on Ukraine. The ability to come together as a country on important issues is crucial”, he argues.

Kristersson goes on to say that Nordic “cooperation is better and deeper now than perhaps at any time in modern history” – and that this is because “since March 7 we are no longer just good friends and neighbors” but also “allies in NATO”.

“Sweden now has 31 allies who pledge to defend us, just as we pledge to defend other members of NATO. Sweden is more secure and NATO is stronger. This is important in these troubled times”, said the Prime Minister.

“Let us also rejoice today that we are all lucky to live here. For it is a privilege enjoyed by few. And whether you were born here, have your roots in another part of the world or are currently living abroad, have a great National Day”, he concluded.