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On 9 January in Riga, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže.

The Foreign Ministers discussed the security situation in the region, sanctions against Russia, support for Ukraine, and the situation in Georgia and Belarus.

At the meeting, the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Latvia, as well as the need to work actively with allies to strengthen regional security. Budrys highlighted the need to further increase investment in defence and improve military mobility among the Baltic states. According to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, the current security challenges and threats require closer cooperation among the Baltic states and necessitate regional integration of the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries.

The Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and Latvia discussed the course of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the need for support to the defending country. Budrys emphasized that the pressure on Ukraine to negotiate peace from a weak position was unacceptable. According to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, to achieve long-term peace as quickly as possible, it is necessary to strengthen Ukraine.

“Lithuania and Latvia are among the most active supporters of Ukraine. We must ensure that allied support for Ukraine does not diminish and that the shared strategic goal of the West remains a sustainable and lasting peace. It is also important to ensure consistent political support for Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership,” said the Minister Budrys.            

Budrys and Braže discussed the situation in Georgia. The Foreign Minister of Lithuania said that the best way out of the country’s deep crisis is through new parliamentary elections and called for continued support for Georgian civil society, which advocates for the country’s EU integration. According to him, the growing Russian influence in the South Caucasus will only increase threats to the security of the entire region.

The Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and Latvia discussed Lukashenko’s upcoming self-appointment as the leader of Belarus, which is scheduled to take place at the end of January. According to Budrys, it is vital to support the democratic forces of Belarus, as a stable and democratic Belarus is a common European interest. He also noted that the ensuring Belarusian regime’s international accountability for human rights violations remains a priority objective.

Budrys and Braže also discussed the need to tighten sanctions policies against Russia.

“We see Russia as a direct, long-term threat. We must expand the existing sanctions and introduce new ones that would be targeted and painful for Russia’s economic potential, prevent their circumvention through coordinated action, strengthen the international isolation of Russia and Belarus and unanimously strive for their accountability,” the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said at the meeting.