Ukraine has received an invitation to join an expanded partnership within the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) after the incident in the Finnish Gulf, which became one of the main topics of the recent summit
This decision has been confirmed by sources, including information published on the website of "European Pravda," and official statements from the Norwegian government. The online meeting held as part of the summit resulted in important decisions regarding the strengthening of security cooperation in Europe and the near Atlantic region. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky also participated in this discussion, highlighting the strategic significance of this initiative for Kyiv. He specifically expressed Ukraine’s desire to deepen integration with JEF and become a full member in order to more actively utilize the coalition’s experience and capabilities in countering Russian aggression. As Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre notes, the decision to invite Ukraine to an expanded partnership with JEF was a logical consequence of how serious the security situation in Europe has become. "Russia's war against Ukraine has put Europe in the most challenging security conditions since World War II. We advocate unwavering support for Ukraine and believe that Ukraine, thanks to its experience, can teach others a great deal. Its enhanced cooperation with JEF will contribute to strengthening regional stability," he stated. Summit participants agreed that increasing JEF’s role should become an important element of the European and transatlantic security system. During the discussions, emphasis was placed on the need to coordinate JEF’s activities with NATO, with ministers and presidents seeking to create closer and more effective links. "JEF countries have unique experience in regional security and can serve as reliable support for the Alliance in monitoring and responding in the Baltic Sea, North Atlantic, and the Far North," Støre emphasizes. The Joint Expeditionary Force, created in 2014 and led by the United Kingdom, is a coalition consisting of Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic states, and the Netherlands. The main goal of this initiative is to support security in northern Europe and the Atlantic region, with a particular focus on strengthening defense capabilities in response to possible threats from the Russian Federation. In early 2025, JEF member countries increased surveillance of underwater infrastructure following reported suspicious damages to maritime cables, including the underwater power line EstLink-2 and several submarine links in the Finnish Gulf. These measures were taken after a series of incidents on December 25, 2024, which raised concerns about the security of communications in the region. Cooperation within JEF is an additional component of a layered security system, which also includes national measures and active participation in NATO, thereby enhancing the region’s defensive capacity. Ukraine’s involvement in the expanded partnership with this alliance opens new opportunities for experience exchange, joint exercises, and coordinated actions to counter modern security challenges. Overall, the decision to invite Ukraine to join an expanded partnership within JEF reflects the changing format of regional security, which is becoming increasingly intense and complex amid the current crisis and growing challenges. This sends an important signal to Russia and the global community regarding Europe and its allies’ serious intentions to ensure stability in the near future and strengthen defense potential in the region.