During the summit of the Baltic and Nordic countries (NB8) taking place in the Estonian capital Tallinn, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an agreement on comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense, which includes studying the Ukrainian experience in protecting airspace from drone attacks, reported the communication advisor to the Latvian Prime Minister, Elina Shverna.
Under the agreement, Ukraine commits to providing Latvia with support in the context of unmanned systems and air defense, sharing unique military and civilian experience.
Ukraine also promises to support the export of products to enhance the capabilities of the National Armed Forces.
In cases where support is provided to the Ukrainian industry, the parties will consider opportunities for joint production, localization, and technology transfer.
Latvia will continue to provide political support for Ukraine's path to NATO and the European Union, supply products from the Latvian defense industry, equipment for the armed forces, and train Ukrainian soldiers, as well as allocate funds for international support funds for Ukraine.
Additionally, the agreement provides for procurement from the Ukrainian military industry to strengthen the military-industrial partnership between the two countries.
As Kulbergs stated, Ukraine today knows better than anyone in the world how to fight drones, so the signed agreement will strengthen Latvia's capabilities in counter-drone defense. "By signing the cooperation agreement, we were unanimous that in implementing the agreement, the armed forces of both countries will closely cooperate, as the exchange of knowledge, experience, and resources will allow us to significantly more effectively strengthen the defense of our country," said the Prime Minister.
The agreement also envisages further cooperation between Latvia and Ukraine in the field of research and development of new military technologies, providing support to Ukraine over the next 10 years, cooperation in intelligence sharing, ensuring export licenses for procurements for the needs of the armed forces, and cooperation after the war, including in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
