Unified Nordic-Baltic Support for Ukraine

Leaders from the Nordic-Baltic countries gather in Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During the visit, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson meets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while several countries reaffirm continued support for Ukraine.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visits Ukraine alongside leaders from the Nordic-Baltic countries on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of the country. During the visit, he will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and participate in a meeting within the so-called "coalition of the willing." The coalition consists of about 30 countries that have pledged support to Ukraine.

– Today, on the anniversary, I am in Kyiv as a representative of the Swedish people's support for Ukraine. We do not yet know when the war will end, but how it ends will affect Sweden's security for a generation to come. Therefore, our continued support is so important, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in a press release.

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is also in Kyiv on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion and was received by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Norway has previously announced that it intends to grant support to Ukraine of up to 85 billion Norwegian kroner by 2026, which they reaffirm in a press release about today's visit.

The Norwegian government presents in the same press release that the support will prioritise drones, air defence, and artillery ammunition, as well as efforts to train and equip a Ukrainian brigade. Among other things, 12 billion Norwegian kroner are allocated to drones and autonomous systems, and 9 billion Norwegian kroner to air defence systems and F-16 fighter jets.

In connection with the visit, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre comments on the upcoming Norwegian support to Ukraine.

– The Ukrainians themselves know best what they need. In close consultation with the Ukrainian authorities, the government has now decided how Norway's military support to Ukraine for 2026 will be directed, said Jonas Gahr Støre.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is present with her Nordic and Baltic colleagues in Kyiv. The Danish Prime Minister's Office comments on the visit via social media, discussing continued Ukrainian support and tightened sanctions against Russia.

– We must continue our work to put Ukraine in the best possible negotiating position. We do this by providing the weapons they need and by tightening sanctions against Russia as much as possible, comments Mette Frederiksen on the Prime Minister's Office's social media.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb is also in Kyiv and participated with other Nordic-Baltic leaders in a memorial ceremony at Independence Square. The ceremony was held to honour the Ukrainian soldiers who have fallen in the war.

On social media, he comments on the visit and the ceremony:

– Finland's support for Ukraine remains strong. Russia must end its brutal, senseless, and illegal war of aggression, he says.

Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal, who is also in Kyiv, comments on the visit on social media:

– Russia chose to start its war on Estonia's Independence Day. We have not forgotten the price of freedom. Estonia will continue to do everything it can to help Ukraine achieve a just and lasting peace, he says.

Nordic and Baltic leaders participating in the visit: Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Finland's President Alexander Stubb, Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, Lithuania's Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.