Nordic-Baltic foreign ministers visited Ukraine

On October 16th 2024, the Nordic-Baltic countries’ foreign ministers visited Odesa, Ukraine. The visit took place against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks against Ukraine resulting in further loss of lives, injuries, and widespread destruction. Finland is represented by Political State Secretary Pasi Rajala.

The needs are immense, especially within the energy sector as Ukraine prepares for its third winter since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The Nordic Baltic countries are united in their unwavering commitment to support Ukraine. During the visit, a substantial Nordic-Baltic winter package was announced in response to Ukraine’s most pressing needs, including energy, social infrastructure and humanitarian support. The support aims to alleviate the suffering caused by Russia’s attacks by contributing to basic needs such as heating and clean water during the cold winter months.

“Our visit to Odesa today is a manifestation of the Nordic Baltic countries’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraine’s heroic fight against Russia’s aggression is not only about defending Ukraine’s freedom, but all of ours,” says Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Coordinator of the NB8, Maria Malmer Stenergard, on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic delegation.

The delegation was received in Odesa by Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha to discuss the current situation, pressing needs, Ukraine’s efforts for a just and lasting peace as well as Ukraine’s EU accession progress including related reform progress. The visit also included a visit to a military hospital, where the delegation met with soldiers wounded in the defense of their country.

The Nordic Baltic countries have committed significant resources in support to Ukraine and this support will continue. During the visit, a substantial Nordic Baltic winter package was delivered in response to Ukraine’s most pressing needs ahead of the coming winter, including energy, social resilience and humanitarian support. Together, the Nordic Baltic countries will contribute with turbines, generators, solar panels, transformers and heating as well as financial support to the energy sector and to the reconstruction of critical social infrastructure. This support, and the already earmarked support for next year, will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to provide electricity, heating, clean water, healthcare, education, and other critical social and civilian infrastructure.

In 2024, Sweden is serving as Coordinator of the informal foreign and security cooperation format of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8). Joint efforts to strengthen both immediate and long-term military and civilian support to help Ukraine prevail is central to the Nordic Baltic cooperation format. The Nordic-Baltic foreign ministers last visited Odesa, Ukraine in April 2023, when Latvia was Coordinator of the NB8. 

The NB8-delegation to Ukraine consisted of chair of the NB8-format, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer-Stenergard, Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Estonia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna, Finland’s state secretary Pasi Rajala, Iceland’s state secretary Martin Eyjólfsson, Latvia’s  Minister for Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže, Lithuania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis and Norway’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.