The security summit, which began on Monday, was opened by a public debate between Prime Minister Kristen Michal, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, which focused on European security.
The first day culminated in a meeting in the newly renovated Estonian Statehood House, where Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom agreed to deter Russia’s shadow fleet.
Russia uses its shadow fleet to evade sanctions and mitigate their impact on the country. According to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Russia’s shadow fleet poses a threat to Europe’s security, economy, and environment. “Those, who choose to operate in the shadows must accept the consequences.”
“We are taking coordinated steps to deter Russia’s shadow fleet and prevent attempts to evade sanctions,” added Michal.
The United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland, and Estonia are instructing their maritime authorities to require relevant insurance proof from suspected rogue vessels when they pass through the English Channel, the Danish Great Belt, the Sound between Denmark and Sweden, and the Gulf of Finland. The information gathered by the participating countries, including information on vessels that choose not to respond to requests, will be assessed and a joint response will be made based on this.
The main topic of the summit, which continues today, will be dedicated to discussing supporting Ukraine, increasing defence spending, and developing military cooperation. According to Michal, the biggest security issue in Europe is Russia’s full-scale war of aggression in Ukraine. “Victory and support for Ukraine is of paramount importance for our common security and for the preservation of the rules-based international order,” stated Michal.
This year’s meeting coincides with the tenth anniversary of the JEF, providing an opportunity to assess the achievements of the military cooperation coalition to date and set goals for the future.
Last year, the Joint Expeditionary Force’s Prime Ministers’ Summit was held in Sweden, and before that, in Latvia in 2022.
The JEF is a UK-led defence cooperation format that includes Estonia, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. The purpose of the JEF is to be a first responder before NATO’s Article 5 is invoked. The community is formed by like-minded countries that are ready to contribute quickly and flexibly to various operations, from humanitarian crises to conventional warfare. The crisis response measures developed within the framework of the JEF complement NATO’s activities.
The summit will continue on Tuesday morning with interviews with the leaders of the countries, the recordings of which will be available no later than 11 a.m. HERE.
A press conference of the JEF leaders’ summit will take place today at 12.15 p.m. Watch the broadcast HERE.
