Norway and Ukraine establish strategic partnership

‘Norway and Ukraine will now be cooperating even more closely and with longer-term aims. The objective is to strengthen the defence capabilities and resilience of both countries,’ said Prime Minister Støre.

Over the past four years of war, Ukraine has developed military expertise and defence technology at a tremendous pace. The Ukrainian defence industry has emerged as a global leader in certain areas, and defence-sector cooperation between Norway and Ukraine is expanding rapidly.

‘Our partnership rests on three main pillars: defence, energy and resilience. Ukraine has crucial experience that will be of great benefit to Norway in all of these areas. At the same time, Norway has expertise that can benefit Ukraine,’ said Mr Støre.

Norwegian support to protect critical Ukrainian energy infrastructure will continue to be at the core of the energy partnership. Norway will continue to participate actively in the efforts to repair and modernise damaged energy infrastructure and to reduce the vulnerability of the Ukrainian energy supply.

• See the Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership between Norway and Ukraine

New defence agreement signed

Mr Støre and Mr Zelensky also signed a defence agreement under the Drone Deal framework in Kyiv today. 

‘The defence agreement supplements and augments the strategic partnership. The agreement provides the framework for enhancing and expanding our already close defence and security cooperation,’ said Mr Støre.

The new defence agreement will promote even closer cooperation between the Norwegian and Ukrainian defence sectors and industries.

‘The agreement will facilitate greater exchange of technology and expertise. It will also help us to further develop our joint efforts in areas such as air defence and drone technology,’ said the Prime Minister.