Zelensky meeting with Swedish PM Kristersson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson discussed Ukraine's European integration during their meeting in kyiv.

Zelensky and Kristersson talked about cooperation between their countries within European institutions amid Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in the first half of this year.

"Together with the Swedish Presidency, we must ensure everything necessary to start negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU this year," Zelensky said at a press conference after the talks.

Ukraine sees no obstacles to starting the EU membership negotiations and hopes for Sweden's support on this path, Zelensky said.

For his part, Kristersson noted that Ukraine is a priority for Sweden's foreign policy and its Presidency of the Council of the EU.

"It is very important to ensure that the international community continues to support Ukraine, its territorial integrity and independence," Kristersson emphasised.

He praised the progress of reforms Kyiv has made on the path toward integration with the EU and voiced his belief that Ukraine could become a full member of the political bloc.

The parties also touched upon military support for Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia, including strengthening air defence.

Zelensky said that recently Sweden has allocated about 1 billion US dollars in defence aid for Ukraine.