KYIV, Dec 13 - Nordic leaders on Wednesday reaffirmed their “unwavering support” for Ukraine, following talks and a news conference during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“We convey our deep respect for and recognition of the persistence and spirit of the Ukrainian people, soldiers and leadership,” the prime ministers of Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden and the president of Finland said in a joint statement.

They called Ukrainian resistance a “fight for our common security and fundamental principles of international law,” and said this was why they had collectively provided military and civilian support and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine totaling around 11 billion euros ($11.8 billion) since February 2022.

The leaders said this would continue individually and collectively, and that “the Nordic countries will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

Military contributions from the Nordics have included training and the provision of air defense systems, artillery systems and munitions, Leopard tanks, armored combat vehicles, field medical support and mine clearance equipment.

The countries remain committed to increasing international pressure on Russia through sanctions, the leaders said, and to Zelenskyy’s Ukraine Peace Formula, a list of conditions for Russia which includes the re-establishment of Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.

Germany will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary despite adjustments and cuts to its budget, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a press conference on Wednesday.

This includes weapon deliveries, financial support for Ukraine’s budget and assistance for Ukrainian refugees in Germany, Scholz explained.

If the situation in Ukraine changes, “we will have to react,” which could include requesting an emergency exception for Germany’s budget, he said. This would allow Germany to expand its monetary support for Ukraine.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner said 8 billion euros ($8.6 billion) was currently allocated for “direct, bilateral support for Ukraine” in 2024.

Meanwhile, Russia is highly likely dispersing the launch capabilities of its attack drones in an effort to thwart Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, the U.K.’s Ministry of Defense said Wednesday.

In an intelligence update, the U.K. noted that Russia had launched at least 15 Iranian-made “Shahed” One Way Attack Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (or OWA-UAVs) from a new launch site in the Balaklava district of Crimea on Tuesday.

Balaklava is now the fifth confirmed attack-drone launch site used in Russian operations against Ukraine, alongside Cape Chauda, Yeysk, Primorsko, and Kursk, the ministry noted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Russia is highly likely dispersing its OWA UAV launch capabilities across several locations as both a force protection measure and to complicate Ukrainian air defence efforts,” the U.K. noted.

“Russia will likely use additional launch sites in response to Ukrainian attacks, forcing Ukraine to adapt to new transit corridors of these systems.” (cnbc/ez)