Sweden cuts Afghanistan, Asia-Pacific aid to boost Ukraine support

The Swedish Government has announced plans to redirect nearly SEK 1.7 billion ($179 million) in development assistance for 2025, aiming to strengthen its support for Ukraine and respond more effectively to global humanitarian crises.

The move involves a strategic reprioritisation of Sweden’s foreign aid, both geographically and thematically, Caliber.Az reports via the Swedish Foreign Ministry. 

As part of this shift, the government has decided to begin phasing out two major aid strategies: the strategy for Sweden’s development cooperation with Afghanistan, and the strategy for Sweden’s regional development cooperation with Asia and the Pacific.

"We live in a turbulent world with many crises. In many places, including Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza and Yemen, the human suffering is enormous. The situation in many countries has been made even worse by the US decision to suspend some of its aid. That is why Sweden has decided to come up with a comprehensive review of the aid budget priorities for 2025," said Benjamin Dousa, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation.

By scaling back these programmes, Sweden seeks to free up resources to expand its assistance to Ukraine, which continues to face challenges due to ongoing war, and to address urgent humanitarian needs in other parts of the world.

The minister added that Ukraine is a key priority for Sweden.

By Sabina Mammadli