H.K.H. Kronprinsessans välkomsttal vid mottagning i samband med Krimplattformens fjärde toppmöte
Kungl. Slottet, Stockholm
(Det talade ordet gäller)
Speakers,
Delegates,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honour to welcome you all to the Royal Palace this afternoon, in connection with the fourth parliamentary summit of the Crimea Platform.
We come together in a time of immense challenge. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and its illegal occupation of Crimea, represent a brutal attack on a sovereign nation. But it is also an assault on the European security order and the rules-based international system. Your presence here sends a clear message: aggression must not, and will not, be allowed to prevail.
Sweden strongly supports Ukraine, across parliament and across society. This commitment is anchored in our values of democracy, human rights and international law. And we are not alone. This parliamentary summit shows that we stay united in our unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Sweden’s bond with Ukraine has deep historical roots. More than a thousand years ago, Princess Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden married Grand Prince Yaroslav of Kyiv. Their union laid the foundation for a bridge between our people, built on friendship and a shared heritage.
The Army Museum in Stockholm recently hosted the unique exhibition Crossroads about our common history, which I had the privilege of visiting just a few weeks ago. It featured archeological findings from the Viking Age to the present and included the old Ukrainian village of Gammalsvenskby, with historical ties to Sweden, as part of the story of our long-standing interactions.
Given that Russia's war of aggression is also an attack on Ukraine’s culture and identity, the exhibition made it clear how important it is to make Ukraine’s history visible.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The ties between our countries belong not only to the past and the present, but also to the future. As we gather here, let us reaffirm our joint dedication to a future where Ukraine is free and secure. And let us keep in our hearts all those who continue to suffer because of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In June this year, we welcomed a group of war-injured children from Ukraine to the Royal Palace. It was deeply moving to hear about their horrible experiences. Their stories remind us why our support matters and why summits like this one are so important.
Thank you for your presence here this afternoon and for your deep commitment.
