The foreign ministers of the Nordic nations and Canada have voiced strong, unified support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing readiness to contribute to future security guarantees for Kyiv amid ongoing Russian missile attacks.
Unified Stance
Their joint statement, released after a meeting in Nuuksio, Finland, underscored that any peace negotiations must involve Ukraine, reject decisions made without its consent, and establish robust security guarantees for a lasting peace.
Coalition of the Willing
„The Nordic countries and Canada are ready to play an active role in combining the efforts of the Coalition of the Willing with those of the United States to ensure the strength and credibility of these security guarantees,” the statement declared. Discussions are underway regarding military security guarantees, but no firm commitments have been made.
Defining „Guarantee”
The Nordic ministers from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland, emphasized the lack of a clear definition for the term „guarantee.”
Readiness to Participate
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen affirmed, „We are in principle, of course, ready to participate.” Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard echoed this sentiment: „We are willing to contribute, but I will come back to how when the details are being defined.”
Trump’s Input
Regarding recent statements by President Donald Trump, Stenergard noted they „have been very positive, but we have a lot to work out.” Trump had mentioned security guarantees during a meeting with European leaders and a potential meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy.
Preventing Future Conflicts
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide clarified that security guarantees aim to prevent future conflicts, potentially including military planning or exercises without deploying European troops.
Variety of Contributions
Iceland, lacking an army, emphasized other forms of support like infrastructure. Canada highlighted its long-term commitment, providing significant humanitarian and military aid and training Ukrainian troops, while focusing on the broader framework of guarantees rather than specific troop deployments.
Long-Term Commitment
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anaita Anad emphasized that the idea of a security guarantee, “is not new this week, we have been discussing the importance of stable security guarantees at least since the Vilnius (NATO) summit in 2023,” she said.
Interpreting Trump’s Stance
The statement comes as world leaders seek to understand Trump’s position on Ukraine after recent meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy. Tony Lawrence of the International Centre for Defence and Security suggested that Trump’s approach might range from political support to potential limited troop involvement. Trump has stated that the US would not commit its own troops to be boots on the ground in Ukraine.
