Ukraine and Norway Sign Agreements on Defense Cooperation and Standardization
A significant development in the defense sector: Ukraine and Norway have signed a series of bilateral memoranda aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities.
Among the agreements is the establishment of a joint defense enterprise in Ukraine, as well as the harmonization of quality standards for military products produced or supplied under bilateral deals.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Norway will allocate seven billion dollars next year to support Ukraine’s defense needs, marking a substantial investment in Ukraine’s security.
Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandevik emphasized that Norway does not perceive an immediate threat from Russia but remains prepared for any challenges, underlining their commitment to peace and regional stability.
The discussions also covered Ukraine’s priority military needs, including bolstering air defense systems and enhancing long-range military capabilities.
Ukraine expressed willingness to share expertise in countering hostile drones and strengthening its armed forces’ defensive abilities.
An important aspect of the talks was Ukraine’s first invitation to participate in the meeting of defense ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Forces (JEF).
In other international remarks, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Europe is facing its gravest threat since World War II, citing Russia’s attempts to weaken European societies and sow division within the continent.