Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently attended the fourth Ukraine-Nordic Summit in Iceland, where he met with the Prime Ministers of Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. During the summit, discussions focused on Ukraine’s ‘Victory Plan’, with the Nordic leaders reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Iceland and the Nordic countries for their support and emphasized the importance of a united response to the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Following the summit, Norway and Sweden announced significant aid packages for Ukraine, with Norway pledging €500 million and Sweden pledging 729 million Swedish krona in military assistance. The five Nordic nations outlined key areas of focus for their assistance, including ongoing winter support, energy, social resilience, and humanitarian aid. They also committed to using frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine’s defence industry and strengthen European ammunition production.
The issue of Ukraine’s NATO membership was a key topic of discussion at the summit, with all five Nordic nations pledging support for Ukraine’s path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. They also expressed support for the opening of EU accession negotiations for Ukraine. The leaders highlighted the importance of the full and efficient implementation of bilateral agreements on security cooperation and long-term support in close coordination with Ukraine.
Zelenskyy thanked Iceland for its support in assisting Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, noting that Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance is the first point of the ‘Victory Plan’ and a reliable way to achieve a just peace. He raised concerns about Russia’s use of weapons supplied by North Korea and Iran, stressing the need for a coordinated international effort to address these threats. The summit marked Zelenskyy’s first working visit to Iceland and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between Ukraine and the Nordic countries.
The previous Ukraine-Nordic Summit was held in Stockholm in May this year, and the recent summit in Iceland further strengthened the partnership between Ukraine and the Nordic nations. The commitments made by Norway, Sweden, and the other Nordic countries to provide significant military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine demonstrate their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. The discussions at the summit focused on concrete measures to support Ukraine’s ‘Victory Plan’ and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in addressing the ongoing conflict in the region.
In conclusion, the fourth Ukraine-Nordic Summit in Iceland was a significant event in strengthening the partnership between Ukraine and the Nordic countries. The commitments made by the Nordic leaders to provide substantial aid to Ukraine, support its NATO membership aspirations, and work towards European integration demonstrate their continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. The discussions at the summit highlighted the importance of united and decisive responses to the ongoing conflict in the region and underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing the threats posed by Russia’s involvement in the war against Ukraine.
