The visit focused on external defence capabilities and social cohesion. With Sweden and Finland being NATO's newest members, the Federal President wished to commend both countries' commitment to the defence alliance and send a clear signal of European unity in the face of Russian aggression. In Stockholm and Helsinki, he also learned about each country’s approach to whole-of-society resilience and defence readiness.

Federal President Steinmeier's two-day visit to northern Europe began in Stockholm. At Rosenbad, the seat of the Prime Minister's Office, the Federal President was received by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. During their meeting, the Federal President stated that Sweden’s accession was a tremendous gain for NATO, particularly in light of the current threat landscape. In Sweden, preparation for crises extends beyond the military to society as a whole. National security is a shared responsibility between the state, the private sector, and the public.

Afterwards, following a walk through the Old Town, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender were received by Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia for a luncheon at the Royal Palace. In his conversation with the King, the Federal President praised the close cooperation between their two nations, who this year celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.

In the afternoon, the Federal President visited the Muskö Naval Base, one of the world’s largest underground naval facilities. Built during the Cold War, the nuclear-protected facility now houses the headquarters of the Swedish Navy. The Federal President then travelled by a Swedish navy combat boat to the Berga Naval Base, which protects Stockholm from attack via the Baltic Sea. In his discussions with service personnel, he thanked them for their efforts in safeguarding the Baltic Sea region. The security situation in the Baltic Sea region was also the subject of a later discussion with academic and political experts at the German Ambassador's Residence.

In the evening, the delegation continued on to Helsinki.

On 7 May in Finland, the Federal President held political talks with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Prime Minister's Residence before being welcomed with military honours by President Alexander Stubb at the Presidential Palace. The main focus of these meetings was European security. The threat posed by Russia is particularly tangible for Finland, as the two countries share a border of over 1,300 kilometres.

At the Presidents' joint press conference, the Federal President praised the close and trusting partnership between Germany and Finland. He particularly emphasised the two countries’ cooperation on security policy and their joint support for Ukraine. Regarding Finland's accession to NATO, the Federal President said: We warmly welcome Finland’s accession to NATO and the active role it has immediately assumed. In doing so, Finland is helping to strengthen the European pillar of the Alliance and reinforce NATO as a whole.

Later, the Federal President and President Stubb visited the Merihaka civil defence shelter. In an emergency, this installation can serve as a bunker, providing shelter for up to 6,000 people. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss Finland’s approach to civil protection. The Federal President expressed his admiration for Finland’s concept of comprehensive defence, from which Germany could learn.

The Federal President also visited the Alppikatu housing facility, run by the Y-Säätiö foundation, to learn about Finland’s experience in tackling homelessness. During the tour, he spoke with representatives from the foundation and the Salvation Army in Finland, as well as with staff and residents.

To conclude the trip, the Federal President visited the Santahamina military base. Finland’s "total defence" concept includes compulsory military service and National Defence Courses. The Federal President spoke with conscripts about their training and the importance of young people's commitment to democracy and freedom, and later gave a lecture to participants of the national defence courses.

Overview of the programme:

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Morning
Flight to Stockholm, Sweden 

Thereafter, seat of the Prime Minister’s Office, 
Rosenbad
Talks with Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, and joint press conference 

Midday
Walk through the Old Town of Stockholm to the Royal Palace

Thereafter
Luncheon hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden

Afternoon
Visit to Muskö Naval Base

Thereafter
Transfer to Berga Naval Base on a Swedish navy combat boat

Evening, German Ambassador’s Residence
Talks with experts on northern and Baltic security

Thereafter
Flight to Helsinki, Finland

Thursday, 7 May 2026

Morning, Prime Minister’s Residence
Talks with Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland

Thereafter, Presidential Palace 
Welcome with honours by Cai-Göran Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland

Thereafter
Signing of the guest book and talks with the President of the Republic of Finland

Approx. 11.45 a.m.
Joint press conference

Thereafter Merihaka civil defence shelter
Joint visit to the facility

Thereafter, Alppikatu housing facility
Visit to a housing facility run by Y-Säätiö foundation for non-profit housing rentals and talks with representatives of the foundation, the Salvation Army in Finland, staff and residents

Thereafter, Santahamina military base
Lecture and talks with conscripts and graduates of the national defence courses

Evening
Flight to Berlin

• https://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Berichte/EN/Frank-Walter-Steinmeier/2026/260506-07-Sweden-Finland.html