Nordic, Baltic nations urge swift Ukraine entry to NATO, EU

Leaders from Nordic and Baltic nations have reaffirmed their unwavering backing for Ukraine's integration into NATO and the European Union. Meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, the prime ministers of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia convened with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They stressed Ukraine's significant strategic importance to both the EU and NATO.

The joint statement highlighted Ukraine's substantial contributions to the alliance's security, citing its combat experience, technological innovation, and industrial capabilities. The leaders reiterated their support for Ukraine's full Euro-Atlantic integration, including its eventual membership in NATO. They also welcomed Ukraine's participation in the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.

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Ukraine contributes significantly to the alliance's security through its combat experience, technological innovation, and industrial capabilities.

In a significant development on the sidelines of the summit, Latvia's new Prime Minister Andris Kučinskis signed a defense cooperation agreement with President Zelenskyy. This pact specifically includes the transfer of Ukrainian expertise in countering drone attacks. The agreement comes at a time of heightened concern in the Baltic states, which have observed an increasing number of drones entering their airspace and falling near their borders with Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron also addressed the gathering via teleconference, reaffirming France's commitment to the security of NATO's eastern flank. He asserted that Russia is failing to achieve its objectives and is attempting to increase pressure on neighboring countries. The Nordic and Baltic leaders praised Ukraine's progress in its European journey and advocated for the immediate commencement of all EU accession negotiation chapters in June and July 2026, recognizing Ukraine's future EU membership as a key security factor for both the country and Europe.

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The future integration of Ukraine into the European Union is a key security factor for the country itself and for all of Europe.