Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to fight in a war that will shape Europe's security, and in Stockholm, Ukraine's ambassador Svitlana Zalishchuk is working to strengthen support for her country. In an interview, she discusses Sweden's role in the war, why Europe's defence must evolve, and how Ukraine's experiences from the front line can accelerate innovation within the European defence industry.

Spring has taken a firm hold of Stockholm. The snow that dominated the landscape just a few weeks ago has almost completely disappeared, and the green vegetation has emerged in a welcome and hopefully long-lasting reunion. We are heading out towards Lidingö, where Ukraine's embassy is located just after the Lidingö Bridge, overlooking Lilla Värtan and the capital behind us.

There, Ukraine's ambassador, Svitlana Zalishchuk, greets us. At the entrance to the embassy, a large group of Ukrainian citizens is waiting for consultation, and inside the doors, work is in full swing.

– Normally, Svitlana Zalishchuk summarises the situation. There are many civilians who need the embassy's help.

It has indeed been an intense morning so far, but that is part of the work and duty.

– We work essentially non-stop. I do not complain. I know that this is my role and where I can be of most use. At the same time, there are people who are in much more difficult situations, like the soldiers in the trenches.

– I sit here in beautiful Stockholm, and in a very friendly Sweden. Working here for my country is the least I can do right now, says Svitlana Zalishchuk.

It is March, and barely a week earlier, the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was marked. Present in Kyiv was Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson along with leaders from the Nordic and Baltic countries. In connection with the visit, the countries also confirmed their continued support for Ukraine, with aid packages and other initiatives.

– The dialogue is fantastic. Sweden is one of the countries in the world that is helping Ukraine the most right now. You have managed to transform solidarity into a real partnership. It is not just about urgent aid packages. Sweden sees the bigger picture and understands that Russia's aggression is not just a war between Russia and Ukraine, she says.

While Prime Minister Kristersson was in Kyiv, the support was also visible back home in Stockholm. The Ukrainian flag flew over the parliament, and in the evening, thousands of people gathered at Sergels Torg. A prayer for Ukraine was also held in the Royal Chapel together with the royal couple.

– All these events not only symbolically show how much Sweden cares about Ukraine, but also how important Ukraine is for Sweden's view on security in Europe, she says.

As the war in Ukraine has continued, domestic organisations within the defence sector have had the opportunity to visit Europe. NDS has, among other things, met with Repower, which works with support for field medics, as well as Defence Robotics UA, which develops drones and UGVs. Experiences that are important for all parties, Zalishchuk believes.

– It is very important that such organisations can come here and present their work. It is not only important for Ukraine but for the entire European defence sector. To succeed, we must build cooperation and systems where we can work together, exchange knowledge, and develop solutions jointly, she says.

Svitlana Zalishchuk believes that there is more to be done in this area. She wants to see more strategic collaborations. She mentions the importance of developed ecosystems and wants to see more defence forums where governments and companies meet regularly.

– I have seen with my own eyes how valuable it can be. When companies meet, ideas and projects arise that none of us could have foreseen. They have the expertise and know where the opportunities lie.

Last autumn, a defence forum was held between Sweden, Ukraine, and Lithuania, where Svitlana Zalishchuk participated. She recounts that during the forum, they made contact with a Lithuanian company that wanted to find a partner in Ukraine. Through contacts, a collaboration was brokered between the company and the Ukrainian military.

– That is exactly what we want to achieve. It may sound simple in practice to just arrange meetings, but it is precisely those meetings that create new collaborations, she says.

Innovation is a recurring theme during the conversation. During visits to the front line, she saw for herself how quickly the innovation cycle operates.

– A drone that is produced today can be outdated in just thirty days. Not because it is bad, but because the enemy is constantly developing new countermeasures. This means that the industry can no longer work with long development cycles; instead, one must be part of the innovation process all the time.

Knowledge and experience exchange between Ukraine and European countries has been a common theme for both Repower and Defence Robotics UA. Ukrainian field medics have unique experiences from the front line that they can share with Swedish colleagues. Similarly, drone development is rapidly accelerated at the front line, a perspective that Svitlana Zalishchuk agrees with.

– That is also what Ukraine offers its partners. We are not a charity case. You should not just donate systems to us. We should develop them together, procure together, and produce together.

She pauses and says:

– That is how Europe can strengthen its defence against Russia.

There are those who argue that Sweden and Europe have much to learn from Ukraine regarding shorter bureaucratic processes within the defence sector. “You need to be more Ukrainian,” it was said during the Q&A session at the Army Museum.

Do you agree with this perspective?

– Yes. At the front line, we do not have time for long bureaucracy. The war is ongoing around the clock. The pace of innovation is, as mentioned, crucial, and one cannot lean back just because new technology has been developed. Tomorrow it may already be obsolete.