Defense Ministers of Joint Expeditionary Force Discuss Support for Ukraine and Countering Russian Threats

London, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- Defense ministers of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) discussed support for Ukraine, countering Russian threats, and doubling defensive efforts in the far north, the northern Atlantic, and the Baltic regions. The UK Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Saturday that the meeting, held at the Icelandic Keflavik military base, focused on strengthening the role of the Joint Response Force by making it a cornerstone of European and Euro-Atlantic security. The ministry noted that this would be achieved through three pillars: first, reinforcing steadfast support for Ukraine through the ambitious implementation of an enhanced partnership with Kyiv; second, concentrating efforts within a defined geographic scope, leveraging collective expertise in operations in the Arctic, the far north, the northern Atlantic, and the Baltic Sea, to bolster the security of NATO’s northern flank; and third, addressing increased deterrence and peacetime activities to counter hybrid Russian threats, as well as continuing plans for cooperation among member states in the defense industrial sector. The Joint Expeditionary Force was established in 2014 and includes, alongside the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, the Netherlands, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. (End) M.R.N. / M.N.F.