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On 20 November 2025, in Brussels, Belgium, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, had a discussion with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the strengthening of NATO’s presence in Latvia and the Alliance’s deterrence and defence capabilities, including the effectives implementation of decisions taken at the NATO Summit in The Hague, further support for Ukraine’s self-defence capabilities and containment of Russia – all in preparation for the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting on 3 December.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže informed the Secretary General about Latvia’s achievements in the strengthening of defence and deterrence capabilities and further support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Baiba Braže emphasized the achievements of Latvian industry in 5G/6G technologies, as well as the development of drone and counter-drone, and quantum technologies in Latvia, while calling on NATO to use this resource. She also called for finding solutions to make public procurement faster and more efficient, which is an important prerequisite for strengthening NATO’s own capabilities and supporting Ukraine.
Marc Rutte thanked Latvia for its firm stance and leadership in moving towards 5% of GDP investment in defence.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže:
“Russia is, and will remain the greatest threat to the security of the entire Alliance and the transatlantic space. Russia’s goals have not changed – to undermine the unity of NATO Allies and reduce support to Ukraine. Latvia takes its security and defence seriously, including by delivering on joint commitments made at the NATO summit in The Hague: this year, Latvia will reach 4% of GDP in direct defence spending, which will be increased to approximately 5% of GDP in 2026. We urge all the Allies to move towards that target. In addition, we are working towards strengthening our eastern border, which is also the eastern border of NATO and the EU – coordination between the EU and NATO is essential for that. Since 2022, Latvia has invested approximately one billion euros in strengthening the border.
I welcome the newly established NATO missions – the Baltic Sentry and the Eastern Sentry. This is a contribution to the security of the region and the entire Alliance in response to Russia’s sub-conventional threats. These missions demonstrate the solidarity of the Allies and the Alliance’s ability to quickly adapt to geopolitical realities and current challenges. The Allies are united in their need to develop a stronger, more modern, and more capable Alliance, so that we can further deter the aggressor and protect every inch of the Alliance.
NATO’s presence in Latvia and throughout the eastern flank needs to be strengthened – especially with air defence and counter-drone capabilities. The Alliance’s defence and deterrence capabilities must also be adapted to respond rapidly to current threats, which Russia is deploying more frequently and aggressively with the aim of testing the Allies.”
In a discussion on the situation in Ukraine, the Minister underlined that the country needs continued military and financial support from Allies: in order to stop Russian aggression, it is important for Ukraine to immediately receive air defence and long-range weapons systems.
Baiba Braže indicated that Latvia will continue to provide military support to Ukraine in the amount of at least 0.25% of GDP in 2026 as well. Besides, Latvia provides 7.2 million euros in financial contributions to the NATO initiative of funding critical military equipment for Ukraine (PURL), and has also participated in the NATO-led Renovator project in support of the renovation of medical institutions in Ukraine.