“This initiative is essential to provide Ukraine’s allies with the necessary combat capabilities,” said Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds.
The Ukrainian Defence Contact Group meeting brings together more than 50 countries around the world and was created with the aim of collectively supporting Ukraine to provide support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces following Russia’s full-scale hostilities.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Latvia has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing military support worth 370 million euros. Total support for Ukraine from Latvia is estimated at more than 650 million euros.
The military support provided by the Latvian defence sector includes unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, howitzers, small arms and personal equipment, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, air defense systems, radars, information technology equipment, land vehicles and fuel.
In addition, at the beginning of 2024, significant progress was made in the drone coalition – in February, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden joined this Latvian initiative, as well as Canada on March 7. The drone coalition’s ambition is to provide 1 million drones for Ukraine’s needs. Negotiations with industry representatives are currently underway.
Similarly, Latvia has trained more than 4,000 soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during 2023 – 10% of the total number of soldiers trained in the European Union. In 2024, it is planned to train the same amount again.
Latvia will continue to support Ukraine against Russia’s aggression until Ukraine wins.
