“The Baltic States, the Nordic countries and Poland – we have a shared vision of the security of the transatlantic region and a firm position that our common security and defence capabilities need to be strengthened even further and faster. Europe must take greater responsibility for its security by prioritising defence spending. Russia is, and will remain a direct threat to the security of all of us in the foreseeable future. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and increasingly intense hybrid threats affect stability and security on a global scale. Russia’s attempts to intimidate us and undermine global support to Ukraine provide an additional incentive to reinforce our resilience capabilities and mutual cooperation in the region, the EU and NATO,” Foreign Minister Baiba Braže stressed at the meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Baltic States and Nordic countries (NB8).
In a press conference following the summit, Baiba Braže underlined: “We, together with the Allies, must do what it takes to constrain Russia, including work on further sanctions against Russia – to reduce its revenues, which allows it to fund the war of aggression against Ukraine. It is no less important to monitor compliance with sanctions in the EU at the national level, as well as to prevent violations or possibilities to circumvent the sanctions. Currently, in times of increased intensity and workload, this is done by Latvia’s competent authorities, which guard the external eastern border not only of Latvia, but of the EU and NATO. As a country bordering both Russia and Belarus, we are the first EU security line, and investment in security is our priority: Latvia will channel 3.5% of GDP to defence in 2025. In 2024, it is 3.25% of GDP on defence and 1% of GDP in support of Ukraine.”
At the meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Baltic States and Nordic countries (NB8) held on 27 November in Sweden, Latvia was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, standing in for the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa. The NB8 prime ministers were also joined by the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk.
The focus of the meeting was placed on strengthening of the resilience of the Baltic Sea region against hybrid threats, on security policy developments, transatlantic relations, NATO’s role in strengthening the Baltic Sea region and the Euro-Atlantic space as a whole.
Baiba Braže thanked the Nordic countries for their vital contribution to the security of the Baltic States: NATO’s Multinational Brigade Latvia currently consists of over 3,500 troops from 13 countries, including Denmark, and 600 soldiers of the Swedish Armed Forces will be sent to Latvia at the beginning of 2025.
The participants of the summit confirmed that they will continue their support to Ukraine in every possible way – military, political, humanitarian. The NB8 countries collectively are the second largest provider of military support to Ukraine after the U.S.
“We – the Baltic States, the Nordic countries and Poland – will stay in the lead in providing support to Ukraine until Ukraine wins,” Baiba Braže underlined.
Those present agreed that Ukraine should receive the broadest possible international support to be able to prevail in the war against Russian aggression and to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. The prime ministers expressed their support for the Ukrainian Victory Plan and the country’s full integration into the European Union and NATO.
Demonstrating their unity and strong stance, the head of government also adopted a Joint Statement on strengthening security in the Euro-Atlantic space and supporting Ukraine. “In the coming months, we will step up our support, including to the Ukrainian defence industry, and we will invest in making more ammunition available to Ukraine. Ukraine’s courage and resilience will be backed by strong and steadfast support by our countries whereof military assistance is an integral part. We encourage others to do the same,” the declaration reads.
- Joint Statement by the heads of government of NB8 countries - https://www.government.se/statements/2024/11/joint-statement-by-the-heads-of-government-of-denmark-estonia-finland-latvia-norway-poland-and-sweden/
About the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia
The lead nation of NATO’s Multinational Brigade Latvia is Canada. The brigade currently consists of over 3,500 troops from 13 countries – Albania, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. About 600 personnel of the Swedish Armed Forces will be also sent to Latvia in the early 2025.
About NB8
- The format of the Baltic States and Nordic countries (NB8) comprises Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.
- In 2024, the NB8 activities are coordinated by Sweden. Its priorities: security policy cooperation in the NB8 region, demonstrating NB8 support for Ukraine’s freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and promoting global support for Ukraine
- In 2025, the coordination of NB8 cooperation on foreign affairs will be taken over by Denmark. Latvia coordinated NB8 cooperation at the foreign ministry level in 2023.
- The previous NB8 meeting at the prime ministers’ level was held in Finland in 2017. the present meeting takes place in the format of NB8+Poland. Poland is a close partner and ally of Latvia and other NB8 countries, and Poland’s contribution to regional security is highly important.
- https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/co-operation-among-baltic-and-nordic-countries
- Joint Statement by the heads of government of NB8 countries - https://www.government.se/statements/2024/11/joint-statement-by-the-heads-of-government-of-denmark-estonia-finland-latvia-norway-poland-and-sweden/
