Ukrainian officers watch on as UK-led alliance demonstrates Nato's eastern flank defence
The UK and a number of European allies have demonstrated the ability to defend Nato's eastern flank, with Ukrainian military observers in attendance for the first time this year.
The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) carried out an exercise, named Joint Protector, which took place in multiple locations in Latvia over the last month.
It tested how quickly the JEF can deploy across Europe to respond to rapidly emerging threats.
This saw personnel, from across the 10 nations that form the partnership, practising deploying from their home countries with key capabilities.
Being able to rapidly deploy is reliant on the nations being able to operate alongside each other, with the exercise helping JEF nations co-ordinate and co-operate.
Ukrainian military officers attended the exercise as the alliance looks to learn from the conflict.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said Joint Protector shows the UK is committed "to regional security, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad" and strong partnerships.
"The participation of our Ukrainian partners highlights the exercise's importance, ensuring that we can learn from Ukraine's hard-fought combat experience," he said.
All 10 nations that make up the alliance – the UK, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden and Finland – took part in the annual exercise.
The JEF offers a significant contribution to security and deterrence, which allows participant nation governments, and Nato, more options in times of crisis.
The long-term aim of JEF is for it to become a key component of northern European security.
This will see it support members, deliver region-specific defence activities across multiple domains and contribute to the security of Europe.
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