Swedish FM: EU spends more on Russia than on Ukraine

The European Union has paid Russia more for imports than it has provided to Ukraine in assistance since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has said.

Stenergard noted that while the EU has allocated €187 billion in support for Ukraine, imports of Russian oil and gas have reached €201 billion, and the total value climbs to €311 billion when all goods are included, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

She stressed that this imbalance undermines efforts to conduct effective peace negotiations.

Stenergard argued that using frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine would be a “fair step,” adding that the EU must increase pressure on Russia and further boost its support for Kyiv to sustain Ukraine’s resistance.

The top Swedish diplomat also called out those leaders who strike pro-Ukraine positions in speeches but fail to back up their rhetoric with cash: "If you choose to go to your constituency and give all these kinds of speeches saying that Ukraine is not only for their freedom, but also for ours, then you also have to help the nation," she said.

Ukraine will face a serious budget deficit starting next year. Stenegaard said EU leaders must reach an agreement on how to continue supporting Kyiv when they meet in Brussels in December.

"We have no other choice," she said. "So I am counting on the member states and the [European] Commission to do what it takes to actually get there.

The European Commission circulated a letter this week outlining three options for supporting Ukraine: Two involve EU countries contributing more to the war-torn country, while the third calls for the tapping of some €170 billion in Russian assets that remain frozen in Belgium.

The minister said the third is the only credible option.

By Khagan Isayev