Oslo: Ukraine has achieved "enhanced partnership" status in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a military alliance composed of northern and eastern European countries, as announced by Britain's Defence Minister John Healey. This development marks a significant step in Ukraine's military collaborations within Europe.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the JEF, led by Britain, includes 10 member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, all of which are NATO members. The alliance aims to bolster collective defense and security measures in the region. "I think this agreement is a very strong message to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Healey conveyed to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, emphasizing the commitment of the JEF nations to support Ukraine.
The partnership agreement was formalized in Bodo, Norway, during a meeting of defense ministers from the coalition countries and Ukraine's representative, Denys Shmygal. Shmygal expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating that Ukraine could contribute significantly to the JEF by sharing expertise in areas such as countering hybrid aggression, air-defense operations, drone usage, infrastructure protection, and long-range strikes.
Norway's Defence Minister highlighted that the agreement not only strengthens cooperation but also enables more efficient collaboration between the allies. The agreement is seen as a preparatory step for Ukraine's potential future membership in NATO, a goal reiterated during the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, where leaders acknowledged Ukraine's future role in the alliance without specifying a timeline.
The JEF was originally established in 2014 in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, underscoring the alliance's focus on regional security and stability.