UK updates partners on efforts to restrict Russia's shadow fleet

RIGA - At a meeting of defense ministers and high-level representatives of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) member states on Monday, the UK updated its partners on efforts to restrict Russia's so-called shadow fleet, LETA was told at the Latvian Defense Ministry.

Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) also attended the meeting, which was held to coordinate actions to strengthen regional security, with a particular focus on current threats in the Baltic Sea and Far North regions.

During the meeting, the UK updated its partners on efforts to restrict Russia's so-called shadow fleet, which poses both security and environmental risks in the region. The agenda also included discussions on the security situation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, assessing its implications for global and regional security from the perspective of JEF countries.

"Our priority remains unchanged - a secure and stable Baltic Sea area and the High North. The JEF is an effective tool to complement NATO and to respond to hybrid threats. We are also united in our long-term support for Ukraine, which is the foundation of our common security," Spruds said.

Ministers discussed progress on the implementation of the Action Plan for the High North, the Arctic, and the Baltic Sea Region, as previously agreed by the countries' chiefs of defense. Particular attention was paid to industrial cooperation among JEF countries, including the promotion of joint military industry initiatives within the JEF framework and the development of military capabilities.

In preparation for the forthcoming NATO Summit, JEF representatives discussed positions on future support for Ukraine, including enhanced partnership initiatives and broader assistance mechanisms.

This meeting is a strategic follow-up to a JEF heads of state meeting in March and a chiefs of defense meeting in April.

JEF is a military cooperation initiative of ten like-minded countries, led by the UK. It includes Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The coalition aims to strengthen the security of the region by jointly preparing for different crisis situations.