President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb attended the JEF Leaders’ Summit in Tallinn on 16–17 December 2024. The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a UK-led framework for defence cooperation between ten northern European nations. In addition to the UK and Finland, JEF members are Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Finland joined JEF in 2017.
“While the world has changed in many ways over the years, JEF has proven its ability to respond and adapt. JEF is one of the frameworks for our defence cooperation,” said President Stubb.
The meeting focused on issues such as support for Ukraine and strengthening the deterrence and defence of JEF nations.
“At the meeting we reaffirmed our support for Ukraine, particularly in the military field. In the short term, Ukraine needs weapons and support for energy infrastructure, and in the long term, security guarantees against Russia,” the President said.
“In the event that negotiations can be opened, Ukraine must be in a strong position. For Ukraine, the solution will be based on three principles: independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is up to Ukraine to define the terms of these principles”, President Stubb said.
In the context of the Summit, President Stubb also met President of Estonia Alar Karis. President Stubb met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, together with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
At the end of the meeting, the JEF countries issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for Ukraine and an increase in defence spending commensurate with the security environment.
The meeting also confirmed a decision to take action against tankers transporting Russian crude oil in the Baltic Sea. Finland started inspections of insurance certificates in the Gulf of Finland on 11 December.
Finland will host the JEF Leaders’ Summit in 2026.
