Joint Statement from Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force: 02 October 2026

Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and Allies met at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, today (02 October) to advance the JEF’s role as a key pillar of European and Euro-Atlantic security. Following guidance from Leaders at the Helsinki Summit in March, Ministers agreed upon further action across the JEF’s key priorities.

1. Reinforcing steadfast support to Ukraine through ambitious delivery of the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership.

The JEF Nations remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine. In 2025, the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership was established to deepen cooperation and strengthen collective security. Today, Defence Minister Khamara virtually joined JEF counterparts to mark the successful ongoing delivery of that Partnership. This year, for the first time, Ukraine participated in the JEF’s flagship Lion Protector exercise, with Ukrainian mine countermeasure vessels operating alongside JEF forces to strengthen interoperability, enabling the JEF to benefit from Ukraine’s unrivalled operational experience of modern warfare. Defence Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Partnership and agreed to deepen Ukraine’s involvement in JEF activities.

2. To further leverage the JEF’s specific geographical focus and collective expertise in operating in the Arctic, High North, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea regions to strengthen NATO’s northern flank

Defence Ministers reaffirmed that the Baltic Sea region, the High North, and the North Atlantic remain the JEF’s core and interconnected area of strategic interest. Joined by Canadian Defence Minister McGuinty, Ministers discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation between the JEF and Canada, noted Canada’s application to join the Framework, and advanced work towards a shared recommendation to JEF Leaders on Canadian membership.

Ministers also agreed the JEF’s overarching policy direction and a common framework for structuring engagement with partners.