The foreign ministers of the Nordic and Baltic European countries (NB8), following a meeting in Estonia on April 29–30, stated that Ukraine is key to European security and the continent’s future, reaffirming support for its accession to the EU and NATO, as well as its right to self-defense.
This is stated in a joint declaration published by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement notes that Ukraine aligns with Europe’s security interests and is important for the continent’s future both geopolitically and economically. The ministers emphasized that cooperation with Ukraine benefits all countries, and the NB8 strongly support Ukraine on its path toward EU and NATO membership.
The NB8 also stressed that they are among Ukraine’s strongest supporters in its war against Russia and support its right to self-defense.
“Our joint aim is to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, in full compliance with international law to ensure Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraine needs credible and legally binding security guarantees,” the statement reads.
The ministers underlined that Ukraine needs reliable and legally binding security guarantees, and that NB8 countries, as members of the Coalition of the Willing, reaffirm their support and contribution to its work. They stressed that Russia must be held accountable for the crime of aggression and other international crimes, including through the swift establishment of a Special Tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression against Ukraine, an International Claims Commission, and a Compensation Fund for Ukraine.
The ministers assured that their countries will continue to support and strengthen sanctions against Russia, counter the Russian shadow fleet, and support efforts to ban entry of Russian military personnel into the Schengen area.
The NB8 countries stated they will continue to deepen defense cooperation with Ukraine, which, they said, “also contributes to the security of its partners.”
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked his counterparts for their unwavering solidarity with Ukraine.
“Deeply grateful for the principled leadership and steadfast support of the Nordic and Baltic countries. Russia must be forced to end its aggression. Accountability is inevitable. Ukraine will prevail, as will a comprehensive and lasting peace,” the minister emphasized.
