The first day of the visit centered on bilateral cooperation. Minister Sybiha held substantive talks with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard in her hometown of Kristianstad. The ministers discussed the implementation of agreements reached by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, as well as future plans for bilateral contacts and cooperation.

The discussions covered the full spectrum of the bilateral agenda — from Gripen fighter aircraft and ballistic defense to energy resilience and Ukraine’s EU accession process. Ukraine welcomes Sweden’s clear support for opening the first EU accession cluster as early as next week, with the remaining five expected to open by the end of June.

Sweden remains one of Ukraine’s closest and most important partners. Support for Ukraine is deeply felt throughout Swedish society — in government, across political parties, and among citizens. 

The visit also highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between Ukraine and Sweden. Minister Sybiha reiterated that culture is a matter of national security, and that Ukraine’s language, history, and heritage are an essential part of its resilience. In Kristianstad, the Minister visited the area near the site where Hetman Pylyp Orlyk lived and worked in exile from 1716 to 1719, where a monument now stands in his honor. He also visited a library preserving unique historical artifacts, books and maps that challenge longstanding Russian historical myths.

A particularly meaningful moment of the day was the ceremonial transfer by Sweden to Ukraine of a unique replica of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky’s battle banner. The original banner was lost after the Battle of Berestechko in 1651 and later arrived in Sweden as a war trophy, where it has remained preserved for centuries. Crafted by Swedish artisans at the request of the Swedish Army Museum — which has safeguarded the original relic for more than three centuries — the replica represents an important step in restoring a significant piece of Ukrainian historical heritage. The initiative follows an agreement reached between Minister Sybiha and Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard in Uzhhorod last year and contributes to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s broader effort to restore Ukraine’s historical figures, artifacts, and heritage.

Minister Sybiha also met with the Ukrainian community in Sweden to discuss shared priorities, ongoing challenges, and joint initiatives, expressing gratitude for their civic engagement and strong voice in support of Ukraine.

The day concluded with an open lecture and discussion with students at the world-renowned Lund University, where Minister Sybiha outlined Ukraine’s vision of the current moment in European and global history, the role of the Ukraine–Sweden partnership, efforts to achieve peace, and the strengthening of the North–Baltic–Black Sea axis.