The Swedish king has strongly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine. King Carl Gustaf did this in full military uniform during a visit to a regiment in Karlsborg on March 7th 2022. The speech was held as he presided over the handover of a new standard to the Life Regiment’s Hussars K3 in Karlsborg.
The King said: “Europe is in an extremely difficult situation. More difficult than in a very long time. The Russian Federation has invaded Ukraine. This is contrary to international law and puts fundamental freedoms and rights out of play. The humanitarian catastrophe is a fact. People are fleeing their homes and their country. Families are divided. Innocent people die”.
King Carl Gustaf continued: “Sweden has, among other things together with other EU countries, in the strongest possible terms condemned the Russian actions. Our thoughts go to the Ukrainian people. Sweden as a nation is helping in various ways. And many individuals and organizations, here in Sweden and abroad, are now making invaluable efforts to help”.
The Swedish monarch concluded: “What is now happening in our immediate area also has significant consequences for Sweden. This underlines the seriousness of, and the importance of, the activities of the Swedish Armed Forces. A duty that is carried by you, among others, who are here today”.
The speech of the Swedish monarch is described as unusually political and unusually powerful. The king has already been praised for this strong condemnation of the Russian attack on Ukraine. The speech was broadcast live on TV channels and radio in Sweden, as well as Norway and Denmark.
Sweden is not a member of NATO, but last week it became known that Sweden, together with Finland, wants to investigate the possibility of joining the alliance. Sweden is one of Europe’s most neutral nations and has not been in an alliance or involved in a war since 1814, when the nation was in a three-month long war with Norway.
