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Address by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard at the 77th Session of the Nordic Council in Stockholm, 2025

Government Offices of Sweden

Speech by Maria Malmer Stenergard

Published 30 October 2025

Address by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, 29 October 2025, Stockholm. Check against delivery.

Mr Chairman, dear Nordic friends,

It is an honour to have you here in Stockholm. Never has our friendship or our close cooperation been more crucial than it is now.

The Nordic region is not just a region - it is a family and a home with common Nordic values.

With all the Nordic countries now in NATO, our family is also safer. We are cooperating more intensively than ever in the informal foreign and security policy formats: the N5 between the Nordic countries and the NB8, which also includes our Baltic neighbours.

And by changing the direction of work in the Council of the Baltic Sea States, we are also deepening security policy cooperation between all democratic countries around the Baltic Sea.

Mr Chairman,

You may have seen the image of little Adelina, celebrating her second birthday next to a giant teddy bear? She never got to celebrate her third birthday. She was born during Russia's war and died from a Russian missile in one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv this year. The only one who could be saved from the piles of rubble was the giant teddy bear.

For Sweden, no foreign policy task is more important than supporting Ukraine and securing peace on Ukraine's terms. How the war ends will shape all of our security for generations.

Collectively, our Nordic countries have provided more than EUR 35 billion in support to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began. There are not that many of us, but we are the ones providing the most. Others must now follow our example.

Pressure on Russia must also increase. The EU's measures are having an impact. But more is needed - especially against energy-related income and Russia's shadow fleet.

Mr Chairman,

The Swedish Government is cautiously optimistic about developments in the Middle East with a ceasefire - albeit a fragile one - in place in Gaza, the release of hostages and improved humanitarian access. Large-scale humanitarian assistance must now be allowed in. The UN and other humanitarian actors must be permitted to work freely and impartially to save lives. All hostages - including the remains of those killed - must be released and returned.

The EU and the Nordic countries should act collectively for continued progress in the peace process. International law must be respected - now and always. This is also a Nordic value.

Violations must be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable. Israel and Palestine need to take concrete steps towards a two-state solution, with international support.

Mr Chairman,

In times of global challenges, the Nordic family stands strong, united and resolute. Together, we are leading the way.
Thank you.