Sweden will provide more than half a billion dollars in aid to Ukraine for reconstruction and reforms aimed at the country's membership in the European Union. This was stated by Minister of International Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Sweden Johan Forssell, The Guardian reports.

This amount of more than $584 million will be distributed over 2023-2027 and is part of a new assistance strategy specifically designed for Ukraine.

The minister emphasized that these funds form the basis of Swedish assistance to Ukraine and are the largest and most ambitious bilateral strategy that Sweden has ever developed. At the same time, additional targeted investments are envisaged.

The allocated funds will be used to build Ukrainian infrastructure and institutions, particularly in the healthcare sector. Measures will also be taken to expand access to alternative energy sources and transition to environmentally friendly technologies. The assistance will be aimed at strengthening security and protecting human rights.

Minister Forssell expressed hope that in the future two flags will be deployed in Kyiv: Ukrainian and European, symbolizing Ukraine's successful path to European integration.