Swedish Coast Guard Director General visited Ukraine for enhanced cooperation

The purpose of the trip was to visit the State Border Guard Service in Kyiv to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding that expresses strengthened and deepened cooperation and to clarify cooperation at operational level between the Swedish and Ukrainian coast guard authorities. A further aim was to highlight and strengthen our long-term commitment and to learn from the experiences of our Ukrainian colleagues.

There are great similarities between the Swedish and Ukrainian coastguard authorities. Looking ahead, an important component for the Swedish Coast Guard will be structured experience feedback – not least regarding their operational experiences from the ongoing war and the management of grey-zone challenges in the maritime domain. The Swedish Coast Guard learned a great deal from the discussions.

“We will continue to support Ukraine and the Maritime Guard in a long-term and sustainable manner. Their struggle is ours. We will honour them by making use of their – dearly earned – experiences in our continued capacity building and operational development,” says Director General Lena Lindgren Schelin.

Appreciation for the Swedish Coast Guard’s commitment and equipment

Everyone the delegation met during the visit expressed their gratitude for the support that Sweden and the Swedish Coast Guard provide to Ukraine, and attested to the tremendous value of the Swedish Coast Guard being present on site.

Several of the vehicles donated by the Swedish Coast Guard had been lined up on the quay during the visit to the Maritime Guard, and an exhibition had been arranged on board the ship displaying diving and other equipment that the authority had donated.

“Our Ukrainian partners express great appreciation for the material support we are able to donate, and also for the training initiatives we make possible for their personnel. Another central component of our engagement is the seminars and training activities carried out in close cooperation with representatives of the European Union Advisory Mission Ukraine (EUAM) and the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency,” says Lena Lindgren Schelin.

The initiatives aim to strengthen the authorities’ institutional and operational capacity in line with European norms and standards, as part of Ukraine’s continued efforts to form closer ties to the EU.

Sorrow for fallen colleagues deeply moving

The clear feedback that our support provides tangible benefits, combined with the openness and the exchange of knowledge we receive from the Ukrainian side, makes the work both meaningful and professionally rewarding.

The greatest impact was made at the Maritime Guard in Odessa. The visit began – as every day there has since 2015 – by paying tribute to the fallen border guard sailors, an honorary ceremony for fallen colleagues. It was deeply moving.

“What truly made an impression on me is the sorrow in the eyes of those who still remain and continue to fight. Day after day. Night after night. Year after year. Untiringly. And that at the same time there is room for great warmth, humour, joy and laughter, which stands in stark contrast to the unimaginable suffering the country is enduring. These people deserve all our respect,” Lena Lindgren Schelin concludes.