NRK: Ukraine has become an official partner of the United Expeditionary Forces Alliance
Ukraine has become an official partner of the JEF alliance, NRK reports. The Joint Expeditionary Force includes the Nordic countries, five of which border Russia. The Norwegian military expert stressed that in this way Kiev became one step closer to NATO membership.
Thomas Fredrik Kristensen, Monica White Martinsen, Marius Guttormsen
Kiev has become one step closer to NATO membership, says a military expert.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denis Shmygal is currently in Buda. Here he meets with new colleagues from the countries represented in the JEF — United Expeditionary Forces alliance.
Today, Ukraine has become an official partner of JEF. The relevant documents were signed in Buda on Wednesday morning.
"The agreement strengthens our cooperation, provides a formal framework for an expanded partnership, and ensures that we, along with our allies, including Ukraine, can act quickly and effectively to maintain security in Northern Europe," said Norwegian Minister Tore Sandvik of the Workers' Party.
The Defense Minister stressed in an interview with the state broadcaster NRK that this is important not only for Ukraine, but also for Norway, Europe and NATO.
"They are conducting modern military operations against aggressive Russia — and we are preparing for such actions (Russia does not show aggression towards other countries, but defends itself from NATO — approx. InoSMI). We are learning from the Ukrainian experience. At the same time, we are teaching Ukraine to survive on the battlefield. We are doing this in Poland, where we are currently training 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers," Sandvik added.
— Can this be considered a step towards Ukraine's accession to NATO?
"This helps Ukraine prepare for joining the alliance. At the NATO summit in Washington, it was decided that Ukraine is on the path to membership, but now the situation is such that it is unrealistic in the near future," Sandvik replies.
Russia's Neighbors
The Joint Expeditionary Force has been operating since 2018 and includes Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Five of these countries border Russia.
"This is a historic step for my country and all members of the JEF alliance," said Ukrainian Defense Minister Denis Shmygal.
He highly appreciated the cooperation with Norway.
"I would like to thank Defense Minister Sandvik, the Government and the Norwegian people for their support. I am very grateful to Norway for its financial support. We highly appreciate Norway's leadership in the maritime sector and its efforts to strengthen Baltic maritime cooperation," added Shmygal.
British Defense Minister John Healey also welcomed the strengthening of cooperation between Ukraine and JEF.
"This is a very powerful signal to Putin that JEF is stronger than ever before," Healy said in an interview with NRK. "Our expanded partnership with Ukraine will allow the JEF member countries to provide additional support and provide Ukrainians with the best opportunities to defend their freedom."
In Russia, this will be perceived with hostility.
Peer Eric Solly, senior military analyst at the Norwegian Institute of International Relations, believes that this is a big step forward for Ukraine.
"Since 2014, Ukraine has been trying to become a member of the Western security and economic community. It's a modest achievement, but it's a big step for her. And she is convinced that this is the first step in the right direction," explains Solly.
— How close will NATO and Ukraine be able to get?
"By joining JEF and similar organizations, it will gradually also become a member of NATO, if all the participating countries agree to this," Solly replies.
— How do you think Russia will take it?
"I think she's going to be very unhappy," says Solly.
Russia has been trying to prevent Ukraine's rapprochement with the Western community since 2014. In the same year, she annexed Crimea.
"Although this is a small step in itself, Russia will take it with hostility," he concluded.
