Norway and Ukraine enter strategic partnership and new defence agreement
Norway and Ukraine have entered into a strategic partnership covering defence, energy and resilience, and have also signed a separate defence agreement under the so-called Drone Deal framework. The cooperation is set to encompass drone technology, air defence, the defence industry, research and the exchange of operational experience, among other areas.
According to a press release from the Norwegian government, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the agreements in Kyiv on 23 August. The joint declaration is named the Ellisiv Accord, after Ellisiv, daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, who became Queen of Norway.
"We will now cooperate even more closely and on a longer-term basis. The goal is to strengthen both Ukraine's and Norway's defence capability and resilience," said Jonas Gahr Støre in the Norwegian government's press release.
According to the government, the separate defence agreement is intended to deepen cooperation between the Norwegian and Ukrainian defence sectors and defence industries. The Drone Deal model may encompass the development of defence technology, research, supply chains, industrial cooperation and the sharing of operational experience, with concrete projects to be identified and developed in stages.
"The agreement will contribute to a greater exchange of technology and expertise. It will also build on our joint efforts in areas such as air defence and drone technology," said Støre.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy stated that Norway intends to maintain a high level of support and allocate approximately 9 billion dollars for 2027. He also described the Ellisiv Accord and the defence agreement as the foundation for longer-term cooperation in defence, energy and resilience.
A press release from Ukraine's Ministry of Defence also outlined the defence issues discussed between the two countries in connection with work on the Drone Deal. At a meeting between Ukraine's Defence Minister Evgeniy Khmara and Norway's Chief of Defence, General Eirik Kristoffersen, Ukraine highlighted in particular the need to counter jet-powered Shahed drones and ballistic missiles.
"Ukraine is developing countermeasures, but we need support from our partners to rapidly scale up these solutions. Support with interceptor missiles against Russian ballistic missiles also remains crucial," said Evgeniy Khmara in the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence's press release.
In the energy sector, Norway will continue to support the protection of Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, as well as contribute to the repair and renewal of destroyed infrastructure and to reducing the vulnerability of the country's energy supply.