JEF nations to enhance cooperation with Ukraine
Press release | Date: 09/05/2025 | Office of the Prime Minister
The 10 northern European countries that make up the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) have agreed to strengthen their security cooperation. At the JEF Leaders’ Summit in Oslo today, the countries also agreed to invite Ukraine to form an enhanced partnership with the JEF.
The JEF is a security coalition comprising the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.
Europe taking responsibility for its security
The heads of state and government of the JEF nations convened at the Joint Expeditionary Force Leaders’ Summit in Oslo to discuss shared regional security challenges and the need for closer cooperation to respond to these challenges. After the Summit, the countries issued a joint statement.
‘Europe must shoulder greater responsibility for its own security, and that is what we are doing now. The meeting today reaffirmed our close security policy ties, and we agreed to strengthen our collaborative efforts to promote security and stability in northern Europe. The JEF can provide effective, rapid response in crisis situations and serves to strengthen NATO’s defence capabilities,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Strong support for Ukraine
Further support to Ukraine was one of the main items on the Summit agenda. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participated digitally in parts of the meeting, which was held at Oslo City Hall.
‘We agreed to invite Ukraine to form an enhanced partnership with the Joint Expeditionary Force. Russia’s war against Ukraine has created the most serious security situation in Europe since the Second World War. We stand firm in our support to Ukraine. We also have a great deal to learn from the experience Ukraine has gained during the war. A closer partnership between Ukraine and the JEF will be important for promoting security and stability in our corner of Europe,’ said Prime Minister Støre.
The JEF member countries also agreed to strengthen efforts to ensure optimal coordination and harmonisation with NATO activities.
‘The JEF nations have unique expertise and insight, and we are to provide support to NATO in the regions we know so well. The Baltic Sea region, the High North and the North Atlantic are our geostrategic area of concern and mutual interest. The JEF is a forum for promoting practical cooperation, shared situational awareness and exchange of experience that can help to strengthen both NATO as a whole and the defence and emergency preparedness of the individual countries,’ said Mr Støre.
Facts about the Joint Expeditionary Force
- The JEF is a UK-led coalition of 10 countries: the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.
- The JEF is designed to be an agile defence force that can deploy forces rapidly in response to crisis situations in northern Europe. The JEF can also provide forces to assist in international operations led by NATO, the UN or other organisations.
- The JEF is intended to supplement NATO cooperation, strengthen collective security in our region and bolster our joint defence capabilities.
The JEF Leaders’ Summit was attended by:
- President of Finland, Alexander Stubb
- President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda
- Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer
- Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen
- Prime Minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal
- Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrun Frostadottir
- Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Silina
- Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof (Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans stepped in for Mr Schoof for parts of the meeting)
- Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre
- Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson