Foreign Ministers of North Baltic Eight Arrive in Ukraine
The foreign ministers of the Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8), which includes Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia and Denmark, have arrived in Ukrainian city Odesa for a visit. They discussed strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and energy resilience ahead of winter and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Victory Plan.
This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha on the social network X.
‘I greeted my colleagues from the North Baltic Eight in Odesa. We discussed strengthening Ukraine's defence capability and energy resilience on the eve of winter. We informed them about President Zelenskyy's Victory Plan and the Peace Formula. We appreciate the leadership and strong support of our friends,’ the minister said.
At a press conference in Odesa, Sybiha said that the diplomats began their visit by paying tribute to the fallen soldiers and visiting a military hospital, Ukraine's Ukrinform news agency reported. They received the needs of the hospital's management.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister discussed with his colleagues the strengthening of support, the protection of Ukrainians, in particular Odesa and the region, the protection of ports and energy, and bringing Russian criminals to justice.
Sybiha briefed the ministers on the situation on the battlefield and the aggressor's strikes, as well as Ukraine's military and energy needs.
‘Following the talks, we have reached concrete agreements. Additional energy assistance packages to strengthen resilience ahead of winter. Thank you for these important decisions. We also discussed further strengthening of Ukraine's defence capabilities, strengthening of the air shield, and investments in our defence industry,’ the head of Ukrainian diplomacy stressed.
The foreign ministers of the NB8 and Ukraine discussed blocking Russia's shadow fleet, which ‘not only allows Moscow to earn money for the war against Ukraine, but also threatens Europe with an environmental catastrophe’. Sybiha also called on his partners to help increase pressure on Russia, ensure access for international monitors and medics to prisoners of war, humane treatment and basic needs, facilitate their release, and release all illegally detained persons.
In November 2022, the Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers pledged to continue to provide political and practical support to ensure Ukraine's ability to defend itself.