Sweden does not recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories
Sweden has no plans to change its position and will not recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of occupied Ukrainian territories, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has said.
“Let me be clear: Sweden does not recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea or any other part of Ukraine. We will not reward aggression,” Stenergard said, commenting on the status of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia, The Guardian reports.
She stressed that Sweden would continue to support Ukraine and demand a just peace.
"Since Russia has not changed its position, Sweden and the EU have not changed theirs either. Our position remains unchanged: in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, borders cannot be changed by force. There can be no restrictions on the armed forces of Ukraine that would provoke further Russian aggression, and there can be no restrictions on the full sovereign rights of the Ukrainian people to choose their own path, which includes the path to EU membership. An agreement that includes these basic elements, that truly respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and has the support of its people, ... will also have our support. But as long as Russian aggression continues, Sweden has a clear two-point plan to strengthen Ukraine and weaken Russia. You can count on our support," Stenergard said.
