Summit in the North: Agreed an Enhanced Partnership with Ukraine

Eleven defence ministers gathered this week in Bodø, Northern Norway, for the Ministerial Meeting in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

The British-led coalition JEF consists of ten Nordic and Northern European countries that share a common focus on security in the High North, Northern Europe and the Baltic region. 

The participating countries contribute to a flexible defense force that will support NATO in the region. 

Historic meeting in the north

The meeting in Bodø this week is historic as it is the first ever meeting of the JEF Defence Ministers to be held within the Arctic Circle.

The choice of Bodø as a location was made deliberately, Norway's Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik (Labor) points out. 

– The cooperation in JEF shows how close partners in Northern Europe can act quickly and in a coordinated manner when our security is challenged. The fact that the meeting is being held here in Bodø underlines the strategic importance of the High North for both Norway and our allies, says the Minister of Defense in a statement. 

From the High North to the Baltic Sea

To High North News, Sandvik emphasizes the importance of increasing awareness of the High North among allies. 

"Highlighting the Arctic perspective is absolutely crucial," he says.

Sandvik also draws connections between what is happening in the High North; how Norway continuously operates and conducts surveillance in the region – with what is being done further south in the Baltic Sea. 

"For us, this is about presenting a strategic dilemma. To show that we [allies, ed. note] are paying attention and can defend ourselves on multiple fronts."

In a joint statement, the countries in the JEF emphasize that the meeting in the North signals the commitment of the JEF Participant Nations to security in the High North. 

"The Baltic Sea region, the High North and the North Atlantic is our core, interlinked, geostrategic area of concern and mutual interest within the JEF," the document states. 

Strengthening cooperation with Ukraine

The JEF meeting in the Arctic city is also historic for other reasons. Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal is participating in the coalition's ministerial meeting in person for the first time. 

During the meeting, it was also made clear that Ukraine and the Joint Expeditionary Force will form an 'Enhanced Partnership'.

More specifically, the participating countries signed a Combined Memorandum of Understanding (CMOU), which, among other things, sets out the scope for entering into “Enhanced Partnerships” between the JEF and other nations.

– The signing is an important step for JEF. It strengthens our cooperation, formalizes the framework for Enhanced Partnerships, and ensures that we can act quickly and effectively together with our allies, including Ukraine, to maintain security in Northern Europe, explains Minister of Defense Sandvik in a press release. 

The agreement follows up on the decisions of the defense ministers at the JEF Summit in Oslo in May. Furthermore, the updated agreement also reflects the shift in JEF following accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO. All JEF Participant Nations are now part of NATO, further strengthening the JEFs supporting role to NATO , the joint statement says.

Staunch supporters

"This is an important day - as we sign our Enhanced Partnership with Ukraine. This will reinforce European security," British Secretary of State for Defense John Healey told the press. 

Healey emphasized that this adds an extra dimension on how to train together, to how JEF nations can learn from Ukraine's battlefield experiences - as well as driving innovation into the way of training and operations. 

"We see this partnership as an additional way to support Ukraine. We are ten nations that are Ukraine's strongest supporters," he added. 

Healey also traced the lines back to 2014 when JEF was formed in response to Russia's previous wave of aggression against Ukraine, when Russia annexed Crimea. 

“JEF’s importance is greater now – and growing. As we see Russian aggression and activity increasing, we are responding,” he continued.

Over the last two months JEF held its largest exercise ever, Tarassis, which covered the North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea area and the Nordic region.

"This is a powerful signal to Russia and any other would-be aggressors that JEF is stronger and more united than ever," Healey said. 

A historic step

"This is a historical event for my country and for all our nations," said Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal on the new agreement with JEF.

"This decision will significantly strengthen our partnership."

During the press conference, Shmyhal highlighted the constant Russian attacks against mainly civilian objects such as power plants, schools and hospitals in Ukraine. 

"Today, Ukraine is experiencing one of the most dramatic moments in the struggle for our freedom. Russia repeatedly reject constructive peace initiatives. The intensity of fighting on the frontline has increased. In October, we recorded around 200 combat engagement with the enemy per day."

Furthermore, Shmyhal also thanked Norway for its cooperation and support for Ukraine. 

"I sincerely thank Minister of Defense Tore Sandvik, the Norwegian government and the Norwegian people for their support. Ukraine has received several billion in military aid from Norway since the start of the full-scale war," he said.