Baltic Foreign Ministers Convene in Riga for 31st Baltic Council to Bolster Cooperation and Ukraine Support

Baltic Foreign Ministers Address Key Regional and International Issues in Riga

The 31st Baltic Council convened today, November 14, 2025, in Riga, Latvia, bringing together the Foreign Ministers of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. The high-level meeting, chaired by Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and Baltic Assembly President Jānis Vucāns, focused on strengthening trilateral cooperation, enhancing regional security, and reaffirming steadfast support for Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministers present were Baiba Braže of Latvia, Margus Tsahkna of Estonia, and Kęstutis Budrys of Lithuania. The Baltic Council serves as a crucial platform for governmental and parliamentary cooperation among the three Baltic States, combining the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers.

Strengthening Regional Security and Resilience

A central theme of the discussions was the comprehensive strengthening of regional security and resilience. Ministers addressed various aspects, including:

• Security and defence cooperation, with a focus on strengthening external borders.
• Deepening collaboration in civil protection and crisis management.
• Enhancing the security of critical infrastructure and combating disinformation.
• Implementing regional defense initiatives such as the drone defense concept and the Baltic Defense Line.
• The importance of transatlantic relations and the implementation of decisions made at NATO summits.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys emphasized the need for closer regional integration to counter 'hybrid pressures from neighboring authoritarian regimes,' highlighting recent attempts to disrupt civil aviation. He stated, 'Baltic unity has always been our strongest asset in difficult times. Today, as neighboring authoritarian regimes shape the geopolitical environment, unity is more important than ever.'

Unwavering Support for Ukraine

The Baltic Foreign Ministers reiterated their commitment to providing continuous and comprehensive support to Ukraine. This includes military, financial, and practical assistance aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and facilitating its Euro-Atlantic integration process.

A significant development highlighted was the joint pledge by Nordic and Baltic countries to contribute $500 million to a scheme for purchasing US weapons for Ukraine. This funding will be allocated for military equipment and ammunition under NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). Latvia alone has pledged 7.2 million euros to PURL. The ministers also discussed efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and to promote Russia's international isolation.

Advancing Regional Connectivity and Energy Security

Discussions also covered the improvement of regional connectivity and the strengthening of energy security. Key infrastructure projects, such as Rail Baltica and Via Baltica, were underscored as vital for fostering connectivity and economic resilience.

The successful synchronization of Lithuania's, Latvia's, and Estonia's power grids with the Continental European system in 2025 was noted as a major geopolitical milestone, ending decades of dependence on legacy systems and enhancing the region's strategic autonomy. Ministers also focused on increasing energy production capacities using renewable energy resources.

Outcomes and Future Outlook

At the conclusion of the 31st Baltic Council, a Joint Statement was signed by the President of the Baltic Assembly, Jānis Vucāns, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže, outlining the work accomplished and priorities for 2026. A joint press conference was held at 13:00 to inform the public about the meeting's outcomes.

Latvia holds the chairmanship of the Baltic Council of Ministers for 2025, with Estonia set to take over the presidency in 2026. The Estonian Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, presented Estonia's priorities for its upcoming presidency.