Latvia, Ukraine sign 10-year security agreement

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) – Ukraine and Latvia signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Latvia will provide Ukraine with military assistance worth 0.25% of GDP annually, Zelenskyy said while visiting Lithuania for an international summit.

In addition, Latvia has promised to support Kyiv with military support, including activities in the Latvian-led Drone Coalition, the supply of military equipment and weapons, and training of military personnel, the Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported.

"Latvia also made a 10-year commitment to assist Ukraine with cyber defence, demining, and unmanned technologies, as well as support for Ukraine's EU and NATO accession," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

The agreement between the two nations is based on the Group of Seven’s (G7) last July’s initiative, which aims to boost Ukraine's resistance against Russian troops.

"I am grateful to our friend and partner, Latvia. This is precisely the specificity and predictability that our struggle for freedom and independence requires," Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine has already signed bilateral security treaties with eight other countries, including the UK, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Latvia’s military aid to Ukraine so far amounts to $425 million, according to Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina.