Ukraine has been granted enhanced partner status within the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), becoming the first country outside the alliance to receive such a designation, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Wednesday.
The JEF is a UK-led defense coalition of ten Northern European countries — the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. It is designed for rapid crisis response in strategically sensitive regions such as the Baltic and North Seas, the Arctic, and the North Atlantic. Operating outside NATO structures, it complements the alliance by focusing on flexible, high-readiness operations and coordinated regional security efforts.
According to Shmyhal, who attended the JEF Defense Ministers’ meeting at the invitation of Norway and the United Kingdom, Ukraine participated in the format for the first time since the coalition’s creation.
“Thanks to the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is represented at a JEF defense ministers’ meeting for the first time, a historic moment,” he said.
The minister emphasized that Ukraine is ready to contribute to strengthening the coalition’s capabilities by sharing its frontline experience, particularly in countering hybrid aggression, enhancing air defense, employing drones, protecting critical infrastructure, and conducting long-range strikes.
Shmyhal also noted that Kyiv plans to involve the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in joint JEF exercises to enhance interoperability and ensure coordinated action in crisis situations.
In addition, Ukraine intends to expand cooperation through training programs, defense-industrial projects, and technology partnerships. In return, Kyiv expects greater access to European defense technologies and production facilities for developing joint military initiatives, he added.
The minister thanked Norway for hosting the meeting, the United Kingdom for its leadership within JEF, and all participating states for their continued support.
“Together we strengthen Europe’s security and protect peace for future generations,” he concluded.
What Ukraine’s new status means
Ukraine’s new “enhanced partner” status opens the door to participation in joint exercises, intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and regional defense planning — marking another step toward deeper integration into Europe’s collective security architecture.