Sweden – Government Offices of Sweden, Feb. 18, 2026
On 18 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard presented the 2026 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag.
Mr/Madam Speaker,
Lana Chornohorska was a journalist, LGBTIQ-activist, artist – and drone pilot.
She wouldn’t have needed to fight, but like so many other Ukrainians, she was unable to just stand by and watch as her loved ones were afflicted by Russia’s war of aggression.
On New Year’s Day this year, she shared a tangerine with her friend Ignatius. He joked that he would tell the world about the lovely girl he shared a tangerine with.
Ten minutes later, Lana died in his arms, after being hit by a Russian drone.
Now, Ignatius is doing what he said he would: telling the world about Lana.
When I met him, he asked me to remember Lana when I think of Ukraine and of all the people who, like Lana, have given their lives for Ukraine and for a free, democratic Europe.
***
Mr/Madam Speaker,
We are living in times of upheaval.
The security policy frameworks, international rules and free trade that have made countries like Sweden secure and prosperous are being challenged. We’re seeing serious violations of international law.
The Government is addressing these developments with clarity of vision and decisive action.
In his first Statement of Government Policy, the Prime Minister spoke about the need to re-orientate foreign and security policy in order to address the threats facing Sweden and Europe.
Sweden was in the process of becoming a NATO member, increasing its support to Ukraine, reforming development assistance and deepening cooperation in its neighbourhood.
The Government has delivered on all these points, because we have prioritised them.
Foreign and security policy is about will, but equally, it is about choice.
We have chosen to protect the security of Sweden and the Swedish people.
***
During this electoral period, Johan Floderus, Saeed Azizi, Joakim Medin and Galina Krasnianskaya have been released and have been able to return to Sweden.
Dawit Isaak, Gui Minhai and Ahmadreza Djalali must also be reunited with their families.
I am the first Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs to have travelled to Eritrea, which should be seen as a new attempt to establish dialogue on Dawit Isaak’s case and other important issues for and between our countries.
As the first Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs to have visited China in 11 years, I raised Gui Minhai’s case.
We also have a direct dialogue with Iran concerning the detained Swedes who are still waiting to see their families again.
For us, not speaking with others is not an option when it involves Swedish interests and the safety and security of Swedish citizens. We will not cease in our efforts.
