Flickr
On 9 September 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, hosted Tom Berendsen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, who was visiting Latvia for the first time. The Ministers visited the eastern border and discussed strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, combating illegal migration, EU support for countries on the eastern border, assistance to Ukraine and further sanctions pressure against Russia.
In Terehova, the Ministers were briefed on the work of the Latvian border guards and the practical implementation of sanctions at the EU’s and NATO’s external borders. Baiba Braže emphasised that the instrumentalisation of migrants by Belarus and Russia constitutes an organised hybrid threat to all of Europe.
The Ministers agreed that the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework must foresee adequate funding for infrastructure along the eastern border, modern technologies and the capabilities of border services. Baiba Braže expressed her gratitude to Latvia’s border guards, the National Armed Forces, the State Police and other services for their work in protecting the border.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs highly commended the Netherlands’ contribution to security in the Baltic region, including the German-Netherlands Corps’ responsibility for NATO land forces in Latvia and Estonia, the Netherlands’ participation in the Baltic Air Policing mission, and the presence of Dutch troops in the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Lithuania.
While discussing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Ministers stressed the need to continue providing military aid to Ukraine and to increase economic pressure on Russia. In addition to the major sanction packages, Baiba Braže called for the regular adoption of targeted restrictions against businesses, technologies and supply chains that help Russia produce missiles, drones and other weapons.
The Ministers also discussed cooperation in drone technology, innovation and testing, including the possibility of the Netherlands Armed Forces using the Sēlija military training area. The Minister expressed her gratitude to the Netherlands for its willingness to host the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, emphasising that Russia’s top political and military leadership must be held accountable for the crime of aggression they have committed.
