Nordic nations, Ukraine strengthen partnership

On December 13, the Ukrainian president visited Oslo, where, as part of the Ukraine-Nordic summit he met with the leaders of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.

The countries of northern Europe have been Ukraine’s reliable partners. Together, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland have provided Ukraine with $11 billion in aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion, and stand ready to continue offering extensive military, economic, and humanitarian support for as long as it takes in Ukraine’s fight against Russian invaders, the joint statement said.

The leading nation in terms of aid supplies is Denmark. On December 13, the Danish government announced another aid package, worth nearly EUR 1 billion, for the purchase of ammunition, tanks, drones and other equipment that Ukraine needs on the battlefield immediately. The assistance package comes in addition to more funding for the Facility which is used to support Ukraine. This is about EUR 308 million in 2023 and EUR 3.15 billion by 2027.

Denmark’s readiness to provide long-term support for Ukraine until 2027 demonstrates the unyielding position of the Nordic nations. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden were among the first to announce their readiness to contribute to the embattled nation’s long-term security and welcomed the G7 declaration of security commitments for Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin is seeking to weaken international security and defense assistance for Ukraine, and Europe’s main task is to hamper Putin’s efforts. A long-term partnership with Ukraine and the supply of military assistance to the country repelling Russia’s brutal onslaught is a direct contribution to European security, which Russia has long sought to break. If Ukraine loses the war, Russia will indeed get such a chance.