Nordic, Baltic countries to increase support for Ukraine

Illustrative image. Photo: ukrinform.ua

The leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden have pledged to bolster their assistance to Ukraine.

They said this in a joint statement published on the website of the President of Finland, according to Ukrinform.

“We stand fully and firmly behind Ukraine. Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia’s war of aggression, to ensure a just and lasting peace. The outcome of the war will have fundamental and long-lasting effects on European and transatlantic security. Our priority now is to strengthen Ukraine. Our countries are some of the largest per-capita contributors of military assistance to Ukraine. We will further bolster our support,” the statement reads.

The leaders of the Nordic and Baltic countries also emphasized their cooperation with Ukraine, the United States, NATO allies, and EU partners in pursuing a strategy of “peace through strength.”

“We fully commit to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Ukraine should be given strong security guarantees. Ukraine and Europe must be involved in any negotiations to achieve just and lasting peace. We are investing strongly in our own defense. We are determined to further strengthen our collective security and defense, and to shoulder our responsibility for peace and security in Europe,” the statement said.

On November 28, 2024, Norway’s parliament approved an extension of its Nansen Support Program for Ukraine for another three years, allocating at least NOK 35 billion (EUR 3.1 billion) in aid for the following year.

On January 30, Sweden’s government announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war, amounting to SEK 13.5 billion ($1.23 billion).

On January 31, Finnish President Alexander Stubb approved a new aid package for Ukraine worth nearly EUR 200 million.