United to win: Ukraine and Latvia strengthen security through new bilateral agreement
Photo: the Office of the President
President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkēvičs have signed a bilateral security agreement between their countries. This agreement includes Latvia committing to providing ongoing assistance and support to Ukraine as it seeks to join the EU and NATO.
The President reported this on Telegram.
According to the agreement:
- Latvia plans to offer Ukraine military assistance each year, equalling 0.25% of its GDP;
- Latvia has made a 10-year promise to assist Ukraine in cyber defense, demining, and unmanned technologies;
- Additionally, they will aid in Ukraine's entry into the European Union and NATO.
"Thank you, friendly Latvia! This is exactly the specificity and predictability that our struggle for freedom and independence needs," the president added.
According to the agreement, Latvia's military aid will amount to 0.25% of the country's GDP. Latvia will provide it to Ukraine annually and contribute to Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO. In addition, the country made a 10-year commitment to support Ukraine in cyber defense, demining, and unmanned technologies.
On April 11, the head of the Ukrainian state is on an official visit to Lithuania, where he will take part in the summit of the Three Seas Initiative, or the Three Seas.
For reference:
During the July NATO summit in Vilnius, the "Group of Seven" (G7) leaders made a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. They acknowledged that they would collaborate with Ukraine on individualized, lasting commitments and agreements related to security. In exchange, Ukraine committed to implementing reforms.
More than 20 countries joined this initiative. Great Britain became the first country to sign a final agreement. Since then, several countries have also signed bilateral agreements with Ukraine.
Some countries that have signed a security agreement with Ukraine include:
Intentions to conclude the same agreements were also announced in Greece and Estonia.
According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, about 30 countries are generally ready to sign security agreements with Ukraine similar to the British one.
