The Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olena Kondratiuk, met with Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds, who is on an official working visit to Ukraine.
The Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament expressed her deep gratitude to Lithuania for military-technical assistance to Ukraine: ammunition, weapons and military equipment worth over 600 million euros.
“We hold Latvia up as an example for other countries, as it is one of the global leaders in the share of GDP—around 1.64%—allocated to supporting Ukraine. We are also grateful to Latvian partners for their contribution of €10 million to the PURL initiative in 2026,” emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.
In turn, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, Andris Sprūds, assured that Latvia will continue providing military assistance to Ukraine, amounting to at least 0.25% of GDP annually.
The Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada also highlighted Latvia’s leadership in the Drone Coalition for Ukraine.
“In recent years, this coalition has expanded and now comprises a total of 20 countries. We are keen to strengthen cooperation with Latvia and the coalition members in the defence industry sector, as well as in the joint production and supply of drones, which today play a key role in deterring russian aggression,” emphasised Olena Kondratiuk.
The Deputy Speaker thanked the Latvian Minister of Defence for the vital assistance provided in the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders. Nearly 900 Ukrainian defenders have already undergone treatment and rehabilitation at Latvian rehabilitation centres.
The parties also discussed strengthening Ukraine’s cooperation with the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) — a military coalition of ten Northern European countries, of which Latvia is a member.
“We appreciate Latvia’s support for the JEF military coalition’s decision to upgrade Ukraine’s status to ‘enhanced partner’. It is significant that Ukrainian military personnel were involved in the joint JEF exercises held in Latvia in March this year. In particular, this was aimed at exchanging theoretical and practical experience in countering unmanned aerial vehicles. Ukraine is seeking full membership of the JEF and we are counting on Latvia’s assistance on this path,” noted Olena Kondratiuk.
As emphasised by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, Andris Spruds, Latvia is keen for Ukraine to become a full member of the JEF. According to him, the Ukrainian army is currently one of the strongest in Europe, has significant experience in combating drones and makes a major contribution to European security. “We all have something to learn from Ukraine,” the Minister stressed.
He also assured that Latvia would continue to support Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the European Union and advocate for Ukraine’s membership of NATO.
“We greatly appreciate this consistent stance of our Latvian friends and allies,” emphasised Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk.