Ukraine, NB8 leaders pledge continued support, sanctions pressure and defence cooperation

We, the Heads of State and Government of Ukraine and the Nordic-Baltic States (NB8) , Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden ,  have gathered in Kyiv on the occasion of the National Flag Day of Ukraineand to mark the 35th anniversary of restoration of Ukraine's independence. We reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the Ukrainian people and our steadfast support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We will never recognise as lawful any purported annexation of Ukrainian territory by Russia.  We commend the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people, who continue to defend their homeland, freedom,European security and the fundamental principles of the international order against Russia's illegal, unprovoked and unjustified full-scale aggression. We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, in close cooperation with our Allies and partners, until a just and lasting peace is secured and Ukraine takes its place in the EU and NATO.

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We condemn in the strongest terms Russia's continued war of aggression and its deliberate attacks against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. Russia and its leadership must bear full responsibility for all international crimes committed and for the immense destruction and suffering caused. We should explore further on how Russia's immobilized assets can be used for the benefit of Ukraine. We commend Ukraine's continued commitment to peace and its readiness for a full ceasefire and meaningful negotiations.

Russia continues to reject genuine peace efforts, choosing instead further escalation and continuing its attacks against civilians. Ensuring justice and accountability is a prerequisite for a lasting peace. All forcibly transferred or unlawfully deported Ukrainian children must be returned. Any settlement must be based on international law, respect Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and must not reward aggression or legitimise any border changes by force. We acknowledge that a just and lasting peace requires robust, legally binding and credible security guarantees for Ukraine to effectively deter and prevent the renewal or repetition of Russian aggression and ensuring long-term security and stability. The NB8 will continue to provide Ukraine with political, military, financial, development cooperation, humanitarian and economic support, and work through international coalitions and mechanisms, together with Allies and partners,to help ensure that Ukraine has the means to defend itself and its people against Russia's aggression.

We will remain reliable partners of Ukraine as it advances necessary reforms, economic development and the fight against corruption. A free, sovereign, democratic and prosperous Ukraine, fully anchored in the European and Euro-Atlantic community, is in our common strategic interest. We therefore support swift progress in Ukraine's EU accession process, including the opening of all remaining negotiation clusters without delay already in September, October 2026,recognising Ukraine's continued reform progress despite Russia's aggression. Ukraine's security is integral to European security. Today, Ukraine is a security provider in Europe and an important contributor to transatlantic and global security in its own right.The NB8 countries remain committed to strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and its ability to deter and defend against future aggression. We commend Ukraine's defence innovation and will deepen defence industrial cooperation and co-production, including cooperation between Ukrainian and NB8 defence companies.

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Building on the successful cooperation already established between Ukraine and the Nordic and Baltic countries, including through the Drone Deal framework, we will further expand joint defence production, investment in Ukraine's defence industry and direct cooperation between Ukrainian and NB8 defence companies. We will support the development and scaling-up of joint production of drones, air defence capabilities, electronic warfare systems, ammunition and other critical defence technologies, making full use of relevant national and European instruments, including the SAFE programme.

We will continue our sustained defence assistance to Ukraine in 2026 and beyond through bilateral arrangements, multilateral mechanisms and initiatives, including the PURL mechanism. As Russia continues to target Ukraine's energy system, the NB8 countries will continue to support winter preparationsand the protection, repair and restoration of critical energy infrastructure. We call on international partners to join these efforts.

#Kyiv #NB8 #NATO #EU #DroneDeal

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