On Monday Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden Margot Wallström.

While discussing practical steps of the Government to implement the reforms in the state, the Prime Minister thanked Sweden for the consistent support for Ukraine both in the international arena and in the process of domestic economic and financial reforms. He noted that Sweden implements a number of different programs needed in Ukraine, in particular in the areas of decentralization, energy conservation, energy efficiency, and also provides humanitarian aid for the people in conflict areas in the East of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Groysman expressed gratitude for the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine)", with Sweden as co-author among another 41 states.

"Your help is much needed and we are grateful for the support of Ukraine", said the Prime Minister.

Touching upon the possibilities to enhance cooperation, Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström expressed the willingness of Sweden to collaborate with Ukraine in the areas of environment protection, particularly waste management, and decentralization.

Separately, the Head of Ukrainian Government drew attention to the need to complete the ratification of the Association Agreement of the Ukrainian citizens. Ukraine has fulfilled all the assumed obligations, noted the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also emphasized it is impossible to lift sanctions against the Russian Federation. He noted that this is a matter of global security. "If you remove the sanctions, it means you encourage the aggressor to prolong attacks," accentuated Volodymyr Groysman.

"The one who wants to lift the sanctions wants to fund the military potential of Russia. It's their choice. I think we experienced that in our common European history, and it all ended badly", he stressed.

In turn, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström assured that Sweden is ready to prolong the support for Ukraine, including to continue the sanctions policy against Russia.