The Nordic and Baltic countries have already delivered billions of euros in arms, cash and other support to Kiev – but now promise to “step up support” even further.
They also declared that “the transatlantic bond is indispensable” and that they intend to step up joint efforts to “contain, contest and counter” Russia.
Yesterday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) hosted a meeting in Harpsund, attended by the Nordic and Baltic heads of government and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The agenda included transatlantic relations, regional security in the Baltic Sea region and how to continue long-term support for Ukraine.
– Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. This requires that we increase our cooperation and continue to provide long-term support to Ukraine, which is fighting for both its own and our security, Kristersson said.
“Ukraine must prevail”
In a joint statement, the assembled heads of government announced that they are “determined to shoulder the responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security” and that they are “united by a shared perception of threats and readiness to do what is needed to counter them”.
“The transatlantic bond is indispensable, and we will increase our collective efforts to keep ourselves and all our allies safe”, it says.
It also commits to further increase support to Ukraine – despite already being the largest per capita contributor of military aid.
“Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia’s aggression, to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. In the coming months, we will step up our support, including to the Ukrainian defense industry, and we will invest in making more ammunition available to Ukraine”, they promise.
“Expanding sanctions”
Nordic-Baltic support for Kiev remains “unwavering”, the leaders declare, and it is therefore considered essential that arms supplies continue – while urging other countries to follow their example.
“Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to our security in the long term. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and increasing use of hybrid actions have shattered peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and gravely undermine global security”, the statement continues.
It pledges to jointly “contain, contest and counter” Russia and “ensure its full international accountability for the crime of aggression”.
“Together with our Allies, we are committed to strengthening our deterrence, and defense, including resilience, against conventional as well as hybrid attacks, and to expanding sanctions against Russia as well as against those who enable Russia’s aggression, thus threatening our common security”, the joint statement concludes.
