Ukraine and Norway sign Drone Deal and strategic partnership declaration

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have signed a declaration on strategic partnership in Kyiv, covering areas including defence and energy.

Source: Norwegian government press service, as reported by European Pravda; Zelenskyy on social media

Details: Støre said the strategic partnership aims to strengthen the defence capabilities and resilience of both Ukraine and Norway.

"This partnership consists of three main parts: defence, energy and resilience. In all these areas, Ukraine has important experience that is of great value to Norway. We can also share expertise that will be useful to Ukraine," he explained.

According to the Norwegian government, cooperation in the energy sector will continue to involve Norwegian support for protecting Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure. Oslo will continue to support the reconstruction and modernisation of damaged energy infrastructure and help reduce the vulnerability of Ukraine's energy supply.

Alongside the strategic partnership declaration, the two countries signed what is known as the Drone Deal. The agreement will enable even closer cooperation between the Ukrainian and Norwegian defence sectors and industries.

"The agreement will help intensify the exchange of technology and expertise. It will also enable joint efforts to be developed, particularly in air defence and drone technology," Støre said.

The Drone Deal is a model for long-term defence cooperation between Ukraine and partner countries. Its aim is to use Ukraine's wartime experience, expertise and technologies to develop solutions that strengthen the countries' shared security.

Update: Zelenskyy later said he and Støre had signed a defence cooperation agreement under the Drone Deal framework as well as the Ellisiv Accord on strategic partnership, named after Queen Elisiv, the daughter of Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise who became Queen of Norway.

"These documents strengthen the foundation of the long-term partnership between our countries in defence, energy, and the resilience of our people. I am especially grateful for the decision to maintain a high level of support and allocate around US$9 billion for 2027," Zelenskyy said.

Background:

• On 23 August, Finnish President Alexander Stubb announced that Finland and Ukraine would soon sign the Drone Deal.
• Stubb is visiting Kyiv together with representatives of Finnish defence companies, which have signed cooperation agreements with their Ukrainian counterparts.

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