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Vice Minister T. Godliauskas claims continued focus on strengthening cooperation with Ukraine at the JEF meeting

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-11-06
International cooperation | Security and defense policy

Vice Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas took part in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Defence Ministers' meeting in Norway alongside counterparts from Denmark, Estonia, the UK, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Ministers or their representatives discussed enhancement of partnership the JEF-Ukraine partnership. For the first time, Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal was invited to join them.

Ministers agreed on the common commitment to European security and stability and held an in-depth discussion on the ways of ensuring further assistance to Ukraine's defensive capabilities. Looking to continue enhancing the cooperation, the JEF nations agreed to expand the partnership with Ukraine through joint exercises, combat training initiatives for Ukraine's troops and collaboration on defence innovation. This fall Ukraine took part in the largest JEF exercise to date, Tarassis 25 in Northern Europe, on observers' rights.

"Ukraine's war experience fleshes out a new European security conception built on rapid adaptation to the shifting battlefield. We need to soak in these lessons as well to catch up our deterrence and defence capacity. JEF nations agree that joint defence industry projects and lessons learned and technology exchange with Ukraine is a unique opportunity to invest in the security and technological edge of all of the nations," said Vice Minister T. Godliauskas.

The JEF representatives granted Ukraine an Enhanced Partnership status at the meeting thus enabling even deeper cooperation, strengthening the regional security and more efficient coordination of joint initiatives. Also, they signed an updated Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (CMOU) on enhanced partnerships between JEF and other nations. The document also reflects the changes in the JEF format since Finland and Sweden have become members of NATO.

The Joint Expeditionary Force is a high readiness rapidly deployable force tailored to respond to full-spectrum threats, deter adversaries, ensure integrity of Allied forces and support international stability which was established in 2014. Led by the United Kingdom, the JEF is composed of maritime, air and land capabilities contributed by ten Northern European partner nations.