Latvia and allies outline security priorities at NATO defence ministers meeting
On Thursday, February 12, Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds participated in the NATO Defence ministers' meeting in Brussels, where allies agreed on further steps to strengthen deterrence and defence capabilities in preparation for the upcoming Alliance summit in Ankara this July.
During the meeting, ministers assessed progress made since the Hague summit, paying particular attention to the commitment to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, as well as the development of military industry capacity. The need to accelerate procurement and strengthen supply chains was emphasized to ensure the sufficient availability of ammunition and air defence systems.
"Discussions in Brussels clearly show that NATO is not only reacting to security challenges but is proactively shaping the future security architecture. The increase in defence investment and the development of military industry capacity are critical to producing the volumes necessary for both our own defence and for supporting Ukraine. We see that Russian aggression is not diminishing; therefore, our response must be united, swift, and based on real military power," emphasized A. Sprūds.
Latvijai būtisks sanāksmes aspekts bija arī reģionālās drošības jautājumi. Sabiedrotie atzinīgi novērtēja operāciju "Baltic Sentry" un "Eastern Sentry" ieguldījumu – abas iniciatīvas 2025. gada garumā būtiski stiprinājušas kritiskās zemūdens infrastruktūras aizsardzību Baltijas jūrā un veicinājušas modrību NATO austrumu flangā.
A vital aspect of the meeting for Latvia involved regional security issues. Allies commended the contributions of operations Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry - both initiatives significantly strengthened the protection of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea throughout 2025 and bolstered vigilance on NATO’s eastern flank.
Ministers also confirmed progress on the new Arctic Sentry initiative. This operation will focus on enhancing surveillance and defence capabilities in the High North, responding to Russia's growing military activity and China's economic ambitions in the region. As the Arctic is a critical corridor between North America and Europe - home to essential trade, transport, and communication routes - security in the region must be strengthened collectively. Latvia plans to participate in Arctic Sentry with the specific nature and scale of its involvement currently being finalized with allies.
An integral part of the meeting was the continued support for Ukraine. During the NATO-Ukraine Council session, which included Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, the situation at the front and necessary assistance were discussed. Ministers highlighted the importance of the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which enables allies to efficiently procure vital equipment through NATO mechanisms.
Information prepared by:
MoD Military Public Affairs Department
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335129
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv