What the Four Nordic Countries Got Right About Supporting Ukraine

Jun 29, 2026 15:59

5 min read

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Authors

Illia Kabachynskyi

Feature Writer

August 2023—Ukraine receives a major signal of support from its partners: the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium agreed to transfer up to 80 F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Denmark and Norway were among the first countries to back the international fighter jet coalition and committed themselves to strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

For each of these countries, however, this was far from their first step. Norway had already supplied Ukraine with NASAMS air defense systems, which, when equipped with the necessary missiles, can intercept a wide range of aerial threats. Kyiv knew it could count on its partners: from the very first year of the war, the Nordic countries actively joined Ukraine’s effort to defend its territory against Russia’s war of aggression.

Nordic military aid: helping Ukraine defend itself

In total, the region has committed roughly $50 billion in assistance, and each year, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland continue to expand that support as they recognize the evolving challenges of modern warfare. More importantly, these countries not only agree to help—they are often among the first to act, setting an example for others. Here are just a few examples:

• Denmark pioneered the so-called Danish Model, under which weapons are financed and manufactured in Ukraine for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This allows equipment to be produced faster and delivered directly to the front.

• Norway supplied advanced and costly NASAMS air defense systems along with missiles, while Ukrainian forces quickly demonstrated their ability to master and effectively operate one of the world’s most sophisticated air defense platforms.

• Sweden delivered significant numbers of Archer self-propelled artillery systems, strengthening Ukraine’s military in the early stages of the war by providing access to modern long-range artillery.

• Finland supported Ukraine with hundreds of millions of euros’ worth of artillery ammunition at a time when shells were critically scarce.

These are only individual examples of what is, in reality, a much broader and systematic effort. Denmark, for example, transferred its entire fleet of CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, sending a clear message that weapons are needed on the battlefield—not in storage. Meanwhile, the Finnish company ICEYE provided satellite intelligence that identified Russian equipment and military positions worth billions of dollars in potential targets.

Sweden has also signed one of Ukraine’s largest-ever aircraft supply agreements, covering up to 150 Gripen fighter jets over the coming years. For Ukraine, it represents the biggest aviation modernization program in its history, bringing modern aircraft that will significantly reduce Russia’s ability to dominate the skies.

The Nordic countries have also supplied Leopard 2 tanks, armored vehicles—including CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, which have proven highly effective on the battlefield—and artillery systems. From the earliest stages of the war, countries such as Finland also helped equip Ukraine’s military with small arms and ammunition.

Another aspect of Nordic support that often receives less attention—but is equally important—is its consistency. Norway continues to provide additional NASAMS systems, while Denmark expands annual funding through the Danish Model. All four countries are also open to establishing joint ventures with Ukrainian companies and are prepared to cooperate under the Build with Ukraine initiative, reinforcing their role as dependable long-term partners for Kyiv and the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

How the Nordic countries support Ukraine beyond the battlefield

The Nordic countries also stand out for their strong commitment to supporting Ukraine’s civilian resilience—in other words, helping Ukrainians endure the hardships of Russia’s war.

They provide direct budget support to help finance Ukraine’s social spending, assist in restoring the energy sector and purchasing energy resources, and fund reconstruction projects. For example, during the Energy Ramstein meeting in June 2026, Sweden and Norway allocated more than €200 million to restore energy infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes during the previous winter—one of the most difficult periods for Ukraine’s civilian population since the start of the full-scale invasion. This is just one example of their broader assistance.

Their support extends beyond large-scale initiatives to targeted projects that make a tangible difference for individual communities. Denmark, for instance, has taken responsibility for several projects to restore and modernize water supply systems in southern Ukraine, including in the city of Mykolaiv, where infrastructure suffered extensive damage from Russian attacks.

Overall, the Nordic countries have allocated tens of billions of euros for Ukraine’s social support and continue financing critical programs in close coordination with Kyiv to ensure the greatest possible impact.

Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland have demonstrated through their own actions the importance of building lasting partnerships and maintaining flexible forms of assistance that respond to Ukraine’s most urgent needs. At critical moments, these countries can finance everything from drones to natural gas supplies needed to get through the winter. In a war as intense and prolonged as the one Ukraine is fighting today, their approach stands as one of the strongest examples of what a true strategic partnership between nations can look like.

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