NB8 countries say in joint statement that their priority is to strengthen Ukraine

RIGA - NB8 countries said in a joint statement today that their priority is to strengthen Ukraine, LETA learned from the State Chancellery.

Latvia, together with the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8), stand fully and firmly behind Ukraine. Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia’s war of aggression, to ensure a just and lasting peace. The outcome of the war will have fundamental and long-lasting effects on European and transatlantic security. These are the key messages of the joint statement signed by the leaders of the Baltic and Nordic countries, including Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina.

Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) is a regional co-operation format that includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.

"We stand fully and firmly behind Ukraine. Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia’s war of aggression, to ensure a just and lasting peace. The outcome of the war will have fundamental and long-lasting effects on European and transatlantic security," the countries said.

"Our priority now is to strengthen Ukraine. Our countries are some of the largest per-capita contributors of military assistance to Ukraine. We will further bolster our support," the statement goes.

NB8 countries are engaging with Ukraine, the United States and all NATO Allies and EU partners on how to achieve peace through strength. The countries fully commit to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Ukraine should be given strong security guarantees. Ukraine and Europe must be involved in any negotiations to achieve just and lasting peace.

"We are investing strongly in our own defense. We are determined to further strengthen our collective security and defense, and to shoulder our responsibility for peace and security in Europe," the countries said in the statement.

The NB8 countries issue the statement at a time when the question of Ukraine's future is widely discussed on both sides of the Atlantic and when world leaders, including Silina, are gathering at the Munich Security Conference to discuss European security and Ukraine's future.