STORY
Defence ministers from the Joint Expeditionary Force have agreed to deepen Ukraine’s involvement in the organisation and strengthen military activity across northern Europe. The ministers met at Keflavik Air Base in Iceland to discuss support for Ukraine, security in the Baltic Sea and High North, and the development of closer cooperation with NATO.
Ukraine participated in the JEF’s Lion Protector exercise for the first time this year, with Ukrainian mine countermeasure vessels operating alongside forces from member countries. Ministers said that the exercise had improved interoperability and allowed participating nations to learn from Ukraine’s experience of modern warfare. They reaffirmed their support for the JEF Ukraine Enhanced Partnership and agreed to increase Ukrainian participation in future activities.
Ministers also discussed Canada’s application to join the JEF and agreed to continue work on a recommendation for national leaders. They reviewed Russian sabotage and other hybrid activity against NATO members, while stating that the organisation did not seek confrontation with Russia. Further work will examine defence industry cooperation, military innovation and the alignment of JEF response plans with NATO’s regional operations.