Ukraine and Northern European countries launch the Nordic–Baltic Initiative to train and equip Ukrainian service members
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal and Norway’s Defence Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the 31st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG).
This agreement aims to establish a joint framework for supporting Ukraine by training and equipping Ukrainian service members as part of the international ‘Operation Legio’.
Altogether, Ukraine and nine Nordic and Baltic nations — Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Sweden — are taking part in the initiative.
The initiative provides for:
- training of Ukrainian service members by instructors from partner nations;
- equipping various Ukrainian units with weaponry in volumes equivalent to a brigade;
- conducting training in Poland;
- strengthening Ukraine’s partnership with the Nordic and Baltic countries in the field of security and defence.
“I am thankful to the Nordic and Baltic countries for their solidarity and unwavering support. I extend my sincere gratitude to Norway for its assistance and commitment to deepening our cooperation,” said Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal following the signing of the Memorandum.