NB8 Accepts Ukraine; Stands by Kyiv in Support

The Nordic-Baltic 8, a geopolitical association of countries from the Northern Hemisphere, meeting in Tallin, Estonia, has opened its membership to Ukraine and pledged its support in Ukraine’s time of need as the group plans military and humanitarian aid for the Winter.

It has been my opinion that Ukraine’s association with any Western group will provide benefits for both sides.

In the press statement composed by the Office of the Prime Minister of Estonia, the officials from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania wholeheartedly welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and assured him that the attendees are his closest friends.

Since Russia launched this iteration of aggression against Ukraine the NB8 countries have been among Ukraine’s closest supporters, offering it military, political and humanitarian support. As for the three former captive nations, their advocacy for Ukraine has been historic.

“You are facing a full-scale invasion. You are fighting. You are resisting, for Ukraine, for the civilians of Ukraine, but also for the rest of Europe. And I think this summit has confirmed once again that we stand by you in our support,” the press statement emphasized.

The member-states conceded that Ukraine has a lot to offer, not least of which is the strongest army in Europe.

The admission that Ukraine and it Armed Forces are also fighting for the rest of Europe, emphasizing a united front against Russia’s ongoing belligerence and America’s hesitancy.

The NB8, in their statement, recognized Ukraine’s battlefield achievements by “pushing back on the front line, defending yourself more effectively.” Russia, they pointed out, “Russia is struggling, but also able to hit Ukraine inside, at civilians, in an unacceptable way.” Indeed, the United Nations has recently condemned the sharp rise in civilian deaths and injuries due to Russia’s daily bombardments.

Noting that nobody wants peace more than Ukraine and its President, the NB8 acknowledged as much, while noting that Zelenskyy unsuccessfully sought an end to Russia’s war in his surprise letter to Putin but the Russian fuhrer turned down the suggestion.

“So again, I think that Ukraine is proving to be open to enter into such kind of dialogue, but on clear conditions,” the group wrote.

Norway supports your call for peace, and we are ready to contribute to any efforts aimed at reaching that goal, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

“In the meantime, we will have to be steadfast in our support. And we have agreed again, what are the key points now; air defense, defense against ballistic missiles, supporting your energy, and supporting other humanitarian needs inside the country, preparing for a winter which is not that far away,” the group statement said.

Looking toward future cooperation, the statement indicated new summits with the G7 and NATO and “the cooperation here with Ukraine is shifting in nature.” 

“It is now much more of a two-way street, because Ukraine has a lot to offer. This is perhaps the strongest army in Europe, and with an immense ability to innovate and to move forward. And we are happy to say that we are here in a partnership. And I think that in the NB8 context, we have that same approach,” the group concluded. “So, we look forward to taking on the NB8 cooperation. And that will be in the very continued cooperation with Ukraine, Mr. President.”