John Healey. Photo: Collected

OSLO, Nov 5, 2025 (BSS/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.

"We will share knowledge in countering hybrid aggression, the employment of air-defence forces, the use of drones, protection of national infrastructure, and long-range strikes," he added.

Norway's Defence Minister said in a statement that the agreement "reinforced cooperation" and enabled faster and more efficient cooperation between the allies.

And he told NRK that the agreement "contributes to preparing Ukraine to become a member of NATO".

NATO leaders, at their 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, said Ukraine had a future in the alliance but did not set out a fixed calendar.

The JEF was set up in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.