"My conclusion is now that our security is best served by us supporting Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia," Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told reporters.

Andersson said 5,000 anti-tank weapons of the model "Pansarskott 86", a single-use anti-tank launcher known internationally as Bofors AT-4, would be sent to Ukraine.

The decision to send arms, 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets and 5,000 pieces of body armour is the first time Sweden has sent weapons to a country in armed conflict since the Soviet Union attacked Finland in 1939, Andersson added.

Swedish media reported that Ukraine had specifically requested the more advanced Robot-57 anti-tank system.

"A weapons system that can strike against tanks and armoured vehicles has been requested and this is such a system," Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist said when asked about the decision.

"In addition this is a system that is easy to operate, doesn't require training and can be handled by a single soldier," Hultqvist added.

Sweden officially abandoned its stance of neutrality at the end of the Cold War but remains officially "non-aligned" and outside military alliances.

The country is not a member of NATO, although it has been a partner to the alliance since the mid-1990s.