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On 1 December 2025, while in London for a working visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, met with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, Yvette Cooper. The ministers discussed support for Ukraine’s self-defence capabilities and constraining Russia, cooperation bilaterally and in NATO, transatlantic relations, and the deepening of relations between the European Union and the UK. Views were also shared about priorities for work on the UN Security Council, where Latvia is to start its two-year term of membership on 1 January 2026. The UK is one of the permanent members of the UNSC.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže:
“I would like to thank the United Kingdom for its significant contribution to the security and defence of Latvia and the Baltics, especially for the presence of its troops in our region – in the multinational brigade in Estonia, in the Operation Eastern Sentry in Poland, through regular participation in the Baltic Air Policing mission, as well as leading the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and the Coalition of the Willing (CoW).
The United Kingdom has always been a friend of Latvia and one of our closest allies in security and defence, in NATO, regionally and bilaterally, as well as in supporting Ukraine – both by coordinating sanctions against Russia, especially the “shadow fleet” and its ecosystem, and by co-leading the Drone Coalition. Latvia has allocated 20 million euros to the Drone Coalition this year, and intends to invest 50 million euros in support next year.
As regards the situation in Ukraine and the peace process, we are of one mind: we must, to the maximum extent, further strengthen Ukraine’s self-defence capabilities by providing the country with all kinds of assistance. All allies must continue to weaken Russia, because it is not interested in peace – its goal is to divide allies and weaken support for Ukraine, and it is a threat to the entire Euro-Atlantic area.”
Foreign Secretary Cooper indicated the United Kingdom’s readiness for further efforts to improve relations with the European Union, which Minister Baiba Braže fully agreed with, emphasizing the great potential for positive cooperation.
The officials discussed the need to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in security and the economy.
The ministers of the two countries agreed that the joint declaration of cooperation signed in 2021 should be updated – taking into account both the changing geopolitical situation and the need to outline new potential areas of cooperation.
The UK side expressed interest in deepening cooperation in the field of justice.
Baiba Braže welcomed the work of the British Council in Latvia, emphasizing its contribution to societal resilience. The ministers agreed that a joint assessment was needed of directions in which to continue the currently successful cooperation.
Further information
- The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force is a high-readiness force capable of rapid response, full-spectrum operations and responding to any crisis development to prevent its possible escalation, including participation in the UN, NATO and the EU operations.
- Since the establishment of the Drone Coalition on 14 February 2024, its members have already provided considerable support to Ukraine through the delivery of drones. The total support for Ukraine’s drone capabilities by all the Drone Coalition member states in 2024 reached EUR 1.8 billion.
- The coalition comprises 18 member states – Latvia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, as well as Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.
- The United Kingdom is home to the largest Latvian diaspora – more than 160,000 compatriots.
- More on bilateral relations between the Republic of Latvia and the United Kingdom (in Latvian).