Ukraine and Latvia signed a new drone cooperation agreement on Tuesday, June 9, aimed at strengthening joint defense capabilities and expanding cooperation in defense production, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
According to Zelensky, the agreement was reached during his first meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and represents a step toward deeper defense cooperation between the two countries.
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“We signed the Drone Deal. These are concrete steps to strengthen our joint defense and co-production,” he wrote on Telegram.
The Ukrainian president said the agreement would also allow Latvia and other partners to benefit from Ukraine’s battlefield experience gained during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Focus on joint production and defense
Zelensky said Ukraine is building long-term security partnerships with countries that have consistently supported Kyiv throughout the war.
“It is important that this also involves Ukraine’s expertise and experience to strengthen our partners,” he said.
The president added that Ukraine is interested in ensuring every region of Europe has sufficient protection against Russian threats.
Latvia has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, providing military assistance, training and political backing.
Air defense and sanctions also discussed
Zelensky said he also briefed Kulbergs on Ukraine’s air defense needs as Russia continues large-scale missile and drone attacks across the country.
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The two leaders additionally discussed increasing sanctions pressure on Moscow, including tougher restrictions targeting Russia’s so-called shadow fleet used to transport oil and evade Western sanctions.
“I am grateful that we have such excellent relations between our peoples,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president thanked Latvia for its continued support throughout the war and described bilateral cooperation as an important contribution to strengthening European security.
On May 28, Latvia’s parliament approved a new center-right coalition government led by Andris Kulbergs after the previous cabinet collapsed over a dispute involving stray Ukrainian drones and air defense failures. The new government pledged stronger security, continued support for Ukraine, and a firm pro-EU, pro-NATO foreign policy ahead of the October elections.
By a margin of 66 deputies in the 100-seat assembly, lawmakers confirmed Kulbergs as prime minister, who will lead the Baltic nation until parliamentary elections on October 3.
Evika Silina resigned as prime minister on May 14 after she fired her defense minister and lost the support of his party, which had been a key coalition ally.
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