Today, 30 September, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Foreign Minister Baiba Braže in Riga. The meetings focused on European security, support for Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia, as well as strengthening the region’s competitiveness and connectivity. During the visit, the ministers also visited the largest drone training centre in the Baltic states and presented the Estonian and Latvian Language Promotion Award.
“We discussed concrete steps to increase pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression. To this end, we must strengthen sanctions and continue to isolate Russia internationally,” said Tsahkna.
According to the Foreign Minister, Estonia supports the Latvian Prime Minister’s call to prevent the transit of Russian grain through Baltic ports.
“We are working to ensure that Russian grain is not transported through Baltic ports, because the Baltic States cannot allow our ports to be used to support Russia’s war economy,” Tsahkna stressed.
According to the Foreign Minister, alongside increasing pressure, it is essential to continue providing firm support to Ukraine.
“Estonia’s military assistance to Ukraine will remain at a level of at least 0.25% of GDP next year as well, and the Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in Estonia in January 2027 aims to provide Ukraine with rapid and essential support during yet another difficult winter of war,” Tsahkna said.
The foreign ministers also discussed hybrid threats and joint responses to them.
“Yesterday, Estonia attributed the arson attack on defence industry company Milrem Robotics to the special services of the Russian Federation. Latvia, meanwhile, continues to face migration pressure from Belarus. We are working closely together to counter these threats, and Estonia will continue to support Latvia’s border guard,” Foreign Minister Tsahkna said.
Speaking about the region’s competitiveness and connectivity, Tsahkna stressed the need to continue joint efforts to complete Rail Baltica.
“Rail Baltica is crucial both for strengthening the competitiveness and security of our region and for improving connectivity. Its significance extends beyond the Baltic States. Together with the Tallinn–Helsinki tunnel, it would form a transport corridor linking the Nordic and Baltic countries more closely with the rest of Europe,” said Tsahkna.
During the visit, the foreign ministers visited the largest drone training centre in the Baltic States, where drone piloting and operation are taught and practised. The ministers also laid a wreath at the foot of the Freedom Monument in Riga and presented the Estonian and Latvian Language Promotion Award.
Additional information:
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