Nordic-Baltic foreign ministers arrive in Odesa
The Foreign Ministers of Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia and Denmark (NB8) arrived in Odesa on a visit to discuss strengthening Ukraine's defense and energy resilience ahead of winter and President Volodymyr Zelensky's Victory Plan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha wrote this on social media platform X, Ukrinform reports.
“Welcomed my Nordic-Baltic Eight counterparts in Odesa. Discussed strengthening Ukraine’s defense and energy resilience ahead of winter. Informed about President Zelensky’s Victory Plan and the Peace Formula. We do appreciate our friends’ leadership and strong support,” the minister wrote.
Speaking at a press conference in Odesa, Sybiha said the diplomats began their visit by honoring the memory of fallen soldiers and visiting a military hospital.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister discussed with his colleagues the strengthening of support, protection of Ukrainians, particularly Odesa and the region, protection of ports and energy sector, as well as bringing Russian criminals to justice.
Sybiha briefed the ministers on the battlefield situation and the aggressor's attacks, as well as Ukraine's military and energy needs.
“Following the talks, we have reached certain agreements. Additional energy assistance packages to strengthen resilience ahead of winter. Thank you for these important decisions. We also discussed further strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities, strengthening of the air defense shield, and investments in our defense industry,” the Ukrainian minister stressed.
The foreign ministers of the NB8 and Ukraine discussed blocking Russia's shadow fleet, which “not only allows Moscow to earn money for the war against Ukraine, but also threatens Europe with an environmental disaster.” Sybiha also called on the partners to help increase pressure on Russia, ensure access of international monitors and medics to prisoners of war, humane treatment and basic needs, and facilitate their release and release of all illegally detained persons.
As Ukrinform reported, in November 2022, the foreign ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries pledged to continue working together in providing political and practical support to ensure Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
Photo credit: @andrii_sybiha