Nordic leaders extend enhanced partnership offer to Ukraine at Oslo summit

Leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) extended an invitation to Ukraine to form an enhanced partnership, underscoring their commitment to supporting Ukraine amid ongoing regional security challenges.

The announcement was made during a summit held at Oslo City Hall, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participating remotely, Caliber.Az reports citing Ukrainian media.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Russia’s war against Ukraine has created the most serious security situation in Europe since the Second World War. We stand firm in our support to Ukraine. We also have a great deal to learn from the experience Ukraine has gained during the war.”

He further noted that a closer partnership between Ukraine and the JEF would be pivotal for promoting security and stability in the region.

The JEF nations, which include the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States, and the Netherlands, agreed to bolster their coordination with NATO. Prime Minister Støre highlighted the JEF's unique expertise in the Baltic Sea region, the High North, and the North Atlantic, areas of mutual interest and concern. He emphasized that the JEF serves as a forum for promoting practical cooperation, shared situational awareness, and the exchange of experience to strengthen both NATO and the defence and emergency preparedness of individual countries.

President Zelenskyy has previously expressed Ukraine's interest in expanding cooperation with JEF countries and in becoming a full member of the initiative. The JEF, established in 2014 and led by the United Kingdom, focuses on maintaining security in the Baltic Sea, the North Atlantic, and the High North. In January 2025, these countries launched enhanced monitoring of subsea infrastructure following suspected damage to the Estlink-2 submarine power line and several submarine communication cables in the Gulf of Finland on December 25, 2024. These activities are conducted in addition to national and NATO efforts.

By Vafa Guliyeva