On June 12, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko held a meeting with a delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, led by Minister Raivis Melnis.
The Deputy Minister expressed gratitude to Latvia for its consistent political, security, and humanitarian support for Ukraine since the very beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014. Olexandr Mischenko emphasized that the solidarity of the Latvian people with Ukraine is impressive and inspiring.
The interlocutors highly praised the recent signing of the "Drone Deal" agreement by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs during their meeting on the sidelines of the Ukraine-Nordic-Baltic Summit on June 9 in Tallinn. The Head of the Latvian Defence Ministry noted that the agreement opens up additional opportunities for both countries in the joint production of defence products, exchange of technologies, experience, and knowledge, which will have a positive security and economic impact.
The parties discussed the development of cooperation within the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). In this context, the interlocutors noted the importance of Ukraine's practical experience in countering Russian aggression for strengthening the defence capabilities of partner states and for our country's further deeper participation in this military coalition.
Special attention was paid to the topic of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, particularly in the context of preparations for the NATO Summit to be held in July 2026 in Ankara. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the issue of supporting Ukraine in countering Russian armed aggression must remain one of the key priorities and central themes of the upcoming event, given its critical importance for European and Euro-Atlantic security.
The parties also discussed Ukraine's urgent defence needs. The Deputy Minister expressed deep gratitude for the provision of defence assistance amounting to 0.25% of Latvia's GDP annually and emphasized the importance of further joint efforts to strengthen air defence, particularly through the PURL initiative. In turn, Raivis Melnis assured that the Latvian government would enhance its participation in the PURL initiative by allocating additional funds for the procurement of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Olexandr Mischenko expressed sincere gratitude to the Latvian people, NGOs, and volunteers of Latvia for their invaluable assistance to Ukraine. Thanks to their support, the Armed Forces of Ukraine receive vehicles, technical equipment, and other necessary gear to perform combat missions.
As of today, the public organization ziedot.lv and other non-governmental organizations of Latvia have transferred more than 8.5 thousand SUVs, minibuses, and other vehicles to the Defence Forces of Ukraine over the more than four years of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
Furthermore, Latvia is one of the world leaders in providing assistance to wounded Ukrainian servicemen. Every year, hundreds of Ukrainian defenders undergo rehabilitation and receive prosthetics services. More than 800 Ukrainian warriors have already undergone treatment, rehabilitation, and prosthetics at the "Vaivari" National Rehabilitation Center in Jūrmala and other medical institutions in Latvia.
The Head of the Latvian Defence Ministry assured of the unwavering position of the Latvian government and society regarding the provision of long-term military, political, and humanitarian support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian armed aggression.