STOCKHOLM: Sweden will phase out development aid to five countries in coming years and use the money to increase support for Ukraine, the government said on Friday.
The Nordic country plans to phase out aid to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia and Bolivia, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa said.
“Ukraine is Sweden’s most important foreign policy and aid policy priority and therefore the government is going to increase aid to Ukraine to at least 10 billion crowns ($1.06 billion) in 2026,” Dousa said. “There isn’t a secret printing press for banknotes for aid purposes and the money has to come from somewhere.”
The government said the measures would free up more than 2 billion crowns over the next two years that could be diverted to Ukraine, to be used in such projects as rebuilding the country’s energy infrastructure.
Sweden has already cut aid to more than 10 countries since the current government took power in 2022, including Burkina Faso and Mali.
Sweden is a major donor of and humanitarian aid, with a budget of 56 billion crowns a year over the last three years.
The government has said it will cut that to 53 billion crowns a year for the period 2026-2028 and has reprioritized spending, including using some of the money to pay for the costs of immigration and repatriation of migrants.
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“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” they wrote in a post on social media.
“Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty,” they added.
The statement came days after Danish and Greenlandic officials held talks in Washington over Trump’s bid to acquire the territory, without reaching agreement.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” said the EU statement.
“Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US.”
Sweden to cut development aid to five countries, divert money to Ukraine
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Sweden to cut development aid to five countries, divert money to Ukraine
- “The government is going to increase aid to Ukraine to at least $1.06 billion in 2026,” Dousa said
- Sweden has already cut aid to more than 10 countries since the current government took power
EU warns against Trump’s tariffs threat over Greenland
- “Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” they wrote
- “Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty“
BRUSSELS: European Union leaders on Saturday warned against US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European countries until he has achieved his purchase of Greenland.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, issued the joint statement hours after Trump threatened multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 percent.
“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” they wrote in a post on social media.
“Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty,” they added.
The statement came days after Danish and Greenlandic officials held talks in Washington over Trump’s bid to acquire the territory, without reaching agreement.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” said the EU statement.
“Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US.”
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