Ukraine gets partnership status in European military group

OSLO, Nov 05 (AFP): Ukraine on Wednesday obtained "enhanced partnership" status in the JEF alliance of northern and eastern European countries, said Britain's Defence Minister John Healey.
The 10-strong Joint Expeditionary Force led by Britain also includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, all NATO members.
"I think this agreement is a very strong message to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Healey told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
"Ukraine has the very staunchest of European allies, and these 10 JEF nations ... are demonstrating that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes."
The agreement was signed in the Norwegian city of Bodo, in the Arctic during a meeting between defence ministers of the coalition countries and their Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmygal. "Ukraine can strengthen the JEF," said Shmygal in a post on X.