President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has signed agreements with three Nordic countries, namely, Sweden, Iceland and Norway.
This came at the third Ukraine-Nordic Summit held in Stockholm on Friday, May 31, 2024.
Zelenskyy and Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson signed a bilateral cooperation agreement.
Under the agreement, Sweden will provide Ukraine with military assistance worth SEK 75 billion (about EUR 6.5 billion) from 2024 to 2026, which is approximately EUR 2.2 billion per year.
The amount of assistance will increase over the ten-year duration of the document.
The military support for Ukraine includes aviation and air defense, armored vehicles, artillery, enhancing maritime security, assistance with mine clearance, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Sweden has already provided and will continue to provide Ukraine with Archer artillery systems and CV90 combat vehicles, for which the partners will also explore joint production opportunities.
A unique part of the agreement with Sweden is the provision of specialized ASC 890 aircraft, as well as the prospect of providing Ukraine with JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, including relevant training.
Sweden will also support the development of Ukraine’s modern defense industry potential and develop bilateral cooperation on localization, repair, maintenance and production of Swedish defense products in Ukraine.
Separate blocks of the agreement relate to support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula, sanctions, compensation for damages and bringing Russia to justice, as well as assistance to Ukraine in economic recovery, reconstruction, and protection of critical infrastructure.
In addition, Sweden clearly reaffirmed its support for Ukraine on its path to EU and NATO membership.
Zelenskyy said that he is “grateful to Sweden for its solidarity with our country and people, as well as for its vital defense assistance.”
Also in Stockholm, Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Iceland, Bjarni Benediktsson signed an agreement.
Iceland pledged to provide comprehensive and long-term economic, humanitarian and defense support to Ukraine, as well as to facilitate its future membership in the EU and NATO.
Moreover, Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre signed another agreement with Zelenskyy.
Under the agreement, Norway will provide Ukraine with at least NOK 13.5 billion (about EUR 1.2 billion) in military assistance this year.
In total, Norway has allocated almost EUR 6.4 billion for the long-term Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine for 2023-2027.
Norway’s support for Ukraine will continue for the duration of the agreement.
Together with its allies, Norway will help Ukraine develop its capabilities in the field of modern combat aircraft and has already indicated a clear willingness to provide F-16 fighter jets.
In addition, it will make a significant contribution to the development of maritime capabilities in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, continue to provide NASAMS systems and related equipment, and train specialists.
Ukraine and Norway will also work to deepen defense-industrial cooperation.
Nordic Leaders Stress Commitment To Ukraine
Speaking alongside Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Nordic leaders, Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, stressed the region’s commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
“Ukraine can count on continued strong Nordic support,” Kristersson said.
On his part, Zelenskyy said that he is grateful to the northern countries for their support.
“Ukraine is doing everything to establish a just peace as soon as possible,” he said.
At the third Ukraine-Nordic Summit, the Prime Ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland and the Presidents of Ukraine and Finland issued a joint statement.
“We are at a critical juncture in Ukraine’s struggle to defend itself against Russia’s full-scale war of aggression,” the leaders said in the statement.
The leaders of the Nordic countries jointly reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.
They committed to continuing their efforts to provide immediate and long-term support to Ukraine, with the aim of helping Ukraine prevail.
“This is crucial for European, Euro-Atlantic and global security,” they added.
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