Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and Allies convened at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, on 2 October 2026. The meeting aimed to advance the JEF's role in European and Euro-Atlantic security, following guidance from the Helsinki Summit in March.
Ministers agreed on further actions across key JEF priorities, including reinforcing support for Ukraine. Defence Minister Khamara virtually joined counterparts to acknowledge the ongoing delivery of the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership, established in 2025. Ukraine participated in the Lion Protector exercise this year, with its mine countermeasure vessels operating alongside JEF forces.
Discussions also focused on leveraging the JEF's expertise in the Arctic, High North, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea regions to strengthen NATO's northern flank. Canadian Defence Minister McGuinty joined the meeting, where opportunities for deeper cooperation between the JEF and Canada were discussed, and work advanced towards a recommendation on Canadian membership.
Ministers reviewed the JEF's five-year programme of activity and welcomed efforts to strengthen coherence with NATO. They also discussed Russia's hybrid activity against JEF nations and other NATO Allies, agreeing to continue developing common approaches.