Involvement of European countries and US equally important in Ukraine peace process - Spruds

RIGA - Involvement of European countries and the US is equally important in the Ukraine peace process, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) said at a meeting of European defense ministers.

As Ukraine marks the third anniversary of its courageous struggle for freedom and sovereignty, it needs urgent and growing military support. European countries must assume greater responsibility to ensure peace, but the involvement of the US in providing any kind of security guarantees is equally important, said Spruds.

On Monday, February 24, a video conference of European defense ministers was held to discuss support for Ukraine. Participants of the meeting expressed their strong and unequivocal support for Ukraine. The videoconference was joined by the defense ministers of Estonia, France, Ukraine, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, as well as representatives from Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, the UK, the EU and NATO.

Latvia has already pledged substantial military and financial assistance to Ukraine. In 2025, 0.25 percent of Latvia's GDP, or around EUR 110 million, will be allocated for this purpose. In total, Latvia has contributed around half a billion euros to military support for Ukraine over the past three years.