Ukraine Seeks Full Membership in UK-Led Joint Expeditionary Force
The move signals a drive to formalize Northern European security ties through the UK-led coalition.
Overview
- Zelensky, speaking at Thursday’s JEF leaders’ summit in Helsinki, said Ukraine is ready to join as a full member.
- Ukraine remains an enhanced partner since November 2025, and no decision on full membership was announced by JEF leaders.
- Zelensky urged European governments to target Russia’s shadow fleet by empowering authorities to block tankers and seize illicit oil, thanking Denmark, Sweden, and France for recent detentions.
- He called for Europe to build its own air-defense and missile production capacity and offered Ukraine’s frontline drone expertise to expand joint production with JEF countries.
- Ukraine proposed long-term drone-defense partnerships with Middle East and Gulf states to protect critical infrastructure, and JEF leaders issued a joint statement to keep backing Ukraine and counter regional threats, with the 2028 summit set for Vilnius.