Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to fight in a war that will shape European security, and in Stockholm (Sweden's capital), 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 frontline experiences can accelerate innovation within the European defence industry.

Spring has taken a firm hold on Stockholm. The snow that dominated the landscape just a few weeks ago has almost entirely disappeared, and green vegetation has emerged from the ground in a welcome and hopefully long-lasting return. We are heading out to Lidingö, where Ukraine's embassy is located just past the Lidingö Bridge, overlooking Lilla Värtan and the capital behind it.

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

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

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

– We work essentially without interruption. I am not complaining. I know this is my role and where I can be of most use. At the same time, there are people in far more difficult situations — the soldiers in the trenches.

– I myself am sitting here in beautiful Stockholm, 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 fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was marked. Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was present in Kyiv alongside leaders from the Nordic and Baltic countries. During the visit, the countries also confirmed their continued support for Ukraine, with aid packages and other measures.

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

While Prime Minister Kristersson was in Kyiv, support was also visible back home in Stockholm. The Ukrainian flag flew over the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament), and in the evening thousands of people gathered at Sergels torg in central Stockholm. A prayer service for Ukraine was also held at the Palace Chapel, attended by the royal couple.

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

As the war in Ukraine has progressed, domestic organisations within the defence sector have had the opportunity to visit Europe. Nordic Defence Sector (NDS) has, among others, met Repower, which works with support for combat medics, as well as Defence Robotics UA, which develops drones and UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles). These are 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 there is more to be done in this area. She wishes to see more strategic collaborations, among other things. She highlights 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 that can be. When companies meet, ideas and projects emerge that none of us could have foreseen. They possess the expertise and know themselves where the opportunities lie.

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

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

Innovation is a recurring theme throughout the conversation. During visits to the frontline, she was able to see firsthand how rapidly the innovation cycle operates.

– A drone produced today may already be obsolete in thirty days. Not because it is poor quality, but because the enemy is constantly developing new countermeasures. This means that industry can no longer work with long development cycles — one must be part of the innovation process at all times.

The exchange of knowledge and experience between Ukraine and European countries has been a common theme for both Repower and Defence Robotics UA. Ukrainian combat medics possess unique frontline experience that they can share with Swedish colleagues. In the same way, drone development is rapidly accelerated at the frontline — a perspective Svitlana Zalishchuk fully endorses.

– That is also what Ukraine offers its partners. We are not a charity case. You should not simply 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 question session at the Army Museum (Stockholm).

Do you agree with this perspective?

– Yes. At the frontline, we have no time for lengthy bureaucracy. The war continues around the clock. The pace of innovation is, as I said, decisive, and one cannot rest on one's laurels simply because new technology has been developed. By tomorrow, it may already be obsolete.