On Wednesday, September 3, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa took part in the meeting of the leaders of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8), held in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Together with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the NB8 leaders reaffirmed united and unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s war of aggression.

“As some of Ukraine’s strongest supporters and partners, today we held discussions to prepare for the Coalition of the Willing meeting and a possible conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. It is important for us to remain united and consistently support President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Europe’s security. We discussed the next steps to ensure a just and lasting peace,” said E. Siliņa.

The Prime Minister stressed that it is now important both to continue strengthening Ukraine’s armed forces and defense industry, while at the same time investing in the development of our own defense capabilities and industry.

“Latvia has always been among the most active supporters of Ukraine. At this moment, we cannot afford to delay. Weapons deliveries must be swift, sanctions must be strict, and support must be clear and unequivocal. Our security is closely tied to Ukraine’s ability to win this war,” the Prime Minister said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, NB8 leaders published a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to strengthen military assistance to Ukraine, including accelerating the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and air defense systems. They expressed support for the new PURL initiative, which provides funding for priority U.S. weapons for Ukraine’s needs.

In their joint statement, NB8 leaders also pledged to develop lasting security guarantees for Ukraine in close cooperation with the U.S., Europe, and other partners. The leaders stressed the need to tighten sanctions against Russia and prevent their circumvention through third countries. Meeting participants also agreed that joint and purposeful action by Europe and the U.S. is essential to halt Russia’s war economy.

This was the first in-person NB8 leaders’ meeting held during Denmark’s presidency of this cooperation format.

The NB8 leaders’ statement is available here.

Joint Statement by the Leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight and Ukraine

We – the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight – reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s continued illegal war of aggression. We are proud to stand together with President Zelenskyy in Copenhagen today.

 

Putin does not want peace. We have clearly seen that in the past weeks. And we have seen it many times before. Ukraine is ready to negotiate. It is ready to enter into an unconditional and full ceasefire. Russia has so far not committed to a ceasefire or any steps leading to it. Russia continues to find excuses to delay, while escalating its brutal and indiscriminate use of violence, including with deliberate strikes against civilians in Ukraine. Russia poses a long term threat, not only to Ukraine but to the security of Europe, the transatlantic community, and the wider international order.


We will step up military support to Ukraine. We underline the urgent need to accelerate the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and air defence systems. In this regard, we support a newly created PURL initiative to finance high-priority American weapons for Ukraine. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with other countries. We reaffirm that only Ukraine can decide on its own future.

 

A just and lasting peace requires robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine. We are committed to advancing work on a framework of sustainable security guarantees, developed in close cooperation with the United States and our European and other partners. We further support Ukraine being firmly anchored in the Euro-Atlantic community. Russia has no veto over Ukraine’s pathway to the EU and NATO.

 

Russia’s growing cooperation with North Korea and Iran and increasingly close ties, including military, with China impacts not only Russia’s war against Ukraine. It has also broader consequences for global security. If we allow Russia to succeed in Ukraine, others may follow the same path of military aggression.

 

This moment demands a stronger collective response. We call for the swift adoption and rigorous enforcement of further sanctions, including further restrictive measures against enablers of Russian sanctions circumvention in third countries. When Europe and the United States act together, we can achieve real and lasting results. Sanctions must strike deeper into Russia’s war economy, target the networks that sustain it, and make clear that aggression comes at an ever-higher cost.

Photos from the meeting

03.09.2025. Ministru prezidente Evika Siliņa piedalās Ziemeļvalstu un Baltijas (NB8) valstu līderu sanāksmē, kas veltīta atbalstam Ukrainai
Date 3 September, 2025
TimeAll day
LocationKopenhāgena, Dānija

Ziemeļvalstu un Baltijas (NB8) valstu līderu sanāksme, kas veltīta atbalstam Ukrainai

Ministru prezidente Evika Siliņa piedalās Ziemeļvalstu un Baltijas (NB8) valstu līderu sanāksmē, kas veltīta atbalstam Ukrainai.

Anna Ūdre

Adviser to Prime Minister for Communication
anna.udre [at] mk.gov.lv

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