On 11 August 2025, an informal videoconference of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers addressed the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s further support to Ukraine. The meeting was held ahead of the United States President Donald Trump’s planned meeting with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week, on 15 August.
The videoconference was convened by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. She underlined that EU foreign ministers are voicing their support for the United States’ efforts to achieve a just peace.
The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, joined the event remotely. He pointed out that decisions imposed by force will never be acceptable for Ukrainian society, and he called on the EU to pool efforts with the U.S. in order to increase pressure on Russia.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže: “We welcome joint efforts by the United States and Europeans to stop Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s goals remain unchanged – to subjugate Ukraine, divide the Allies, and gain a say on Europe’s security. Therefore, it is vital to continue supporting Ukraine’s self-defence, maintain the Euro-Atlantic unity, strengthen our own defence and security, and undermine Russia and its military capabilities, including by strengthening the existing sanctions and preventing their circumvention.
We all desire a just and lasting peace, and an agreement to seal it – Ukraine wants it more than anyone. However, such an agreement must ensure a just and sustainable peace rooted in the principles of international law. Russian aggression must neither be rewarded nor justified. To this day, there has not been a single indicator on the part of Russia that would signal its genuine desire for peace and an end to aggression.”
In a discussion on work on the 19th package of sanctions, Baiba Braže indicated that Latvia’s priorities lie in further reducing Russia’s military capabilities though a continued pressure on the Russian energy sector, trade in dual-use goods, access to Western technologies, the financial sector, and subjecting the shadow fleet ships to further sanctions.
The ministers also discussed developments in the Middle East and possibilities for the EU to act in response to the Israeli Security Cabinet decision of 8 August to further extend its military operation in Gaza and take control over the Gaza City.
Baiba Braže pointed out that Latvia disapproves of, and calls on Israel to reconsider its decision to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip, which is not conducive to resolution of the conflict and can lead to further escalation. At the same time, Latvia invariably supports Israel’s rights to exercise its self-defence, and maintains that Hamas must immediately release all hostages, lay down arms, thus relinquish power over Gaza, and address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.