Latvia

Eight Nordic countries have announced their intention to increase assistance to Moldova after the suspension of Russian gas supplies on January 1, 2025. The NB8 countries praised the Moldovan authorities for their efforts to ensure energy stability.

The Ukrainian luge team won a bronze medal in the team relay at the World Cup in Sigulda. The team included six athletes who competed in single and double sleds.

Latvian border guards detained a Ukrainian man who was trying to illegally cross the border from Latvia to Russia on a bicycle. The offender faces a warning or a fine under local law.

Wholesale prices for tangerines in Europe have reached record levels, approaching €2 per kilogram. The reason was a poor harvest in Turkey and weather disasters in the EU in 2024.

Latvia has prepared more than 1,000 combat drones of various types for transfer to Ukraine. In 2025, the country plans to allocate an additional 20 million euros for the purchase of drones as part of a coalition with the United Kingdom.

In 2024, we launched 18 new Ukrainian-language audio guides to cultural sites around the world. We also donated hundreds of Ukrainian books to libraries in 8 countries as part of the Ukrainian Bookshelves project.

Ukrainian wines are rapidly integrating into the global gastronomic culture due to their high quality and naturalness. The products are exported to many countries and appear on the menus of well-known international restaurants.

Leaders of three frontline NATO countries have called on the alliance to increase defense spending. The countries are concerned about a possible decline in U.S. involvement in European security after the elections.

A Lithuanian Beechcraft plane was detained at Helsinki airport on suspicion of circumventing sanctions. The plane was planning an unusual route to Pskov via Helsinki instead of a direct flight from Latvia.

The KORD special forces unit received a modernized BAD-2 robotic ground drone with a video camera and thermal imager. The robot is capable of conducting reconnaissance at a distance of over 2 km, which reduces the risk to police officers during dangerous operations.

The Czech Senate has recognized the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as an act of genocide. The decision was supported by 70 senators out of 76 present, joining other countries that had previously made a similar recognition.

Latvia is testing the combat readiness of the National Armed Forces. Military equipment and personnel are being deployed to different locations to perform combat missions.

Latvian basketball player Janis Timma was found dead in a residential building in the center of Moscow. According to media reports, the 32-year-old athlete committed suicide after his divorce from Anna Sedokova.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister called on the EU to approve a joint strategy to counter Russia's hybrid actions. Lithuania, together with 6 EU member states, has prepared a proposal to be considered at a meeting of the Council of Ministers.

President of Ukraine had a conversation with Evika Silina on strengthening defense capabilities and European integration. Latvia is ready to support Ukraine in its military programs and EU accession negotiations.

The European Commission will provide funding to Estonia, Norway, Finland, Poland and Latvia to protect their borders from drones. The decision was announced by Ursula von der Leyen after a conversation with the Finnish Prime Minister.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said that Russia is now unable to attack NATO because of its significant losses in Ukraine. Russia's daily losses reach 2,000 soldiers, which significantly affects its economy.

Poland is developing a program for the development of the armed forces for 2025-2039, taking into account the experience of the war in Ukraine. The document will include seven priorities, including increasing the army, developing air defense and introducing artificial intelligence.

On December 7, Ukraine celebrates the day of the Ukrainian headscarf, founded in 2019. The holiday became an international flash mob and set a national record for the number of women in traditional headscarves.

Several international airlines have expressed their readiness to resume flights to Ukraine, provided that security improves. UNN has collected statements from those who are already considering the possibility of flying with proper safety guarantees.

Latvian airline AirBaltic has developed a plan for the rapid resumption of flights to Ukraine after the opening of airspace. The company plans to move capacities from other destinations and base aircraft at Ukrainian airports.

MEPs have called on the European Commission to impose sanctions against the leadership of the Georgian Dream because of the authoritarian seizure of power. The Baltic states have already agreed to impose national sanctions against the suppression of protests in Georgia.

On February 8, 2025, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will disconnect from the Russian IPS/UPS power grid. The next day, the Baltic states are synchronized with the continental European energy system with the support of the CEF Foundation.

At the summit in Hapsund, the heads of government of the Baltic states, Scandinavia and Poland announced the strengthening of military assistance to Ukraine. The participants supported the "Victory Plan of Ukraine" and promised to increase the supply of ammunition.

Chairman of the Odessa RSA Oleg Kiper met with President of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'azur region Renault Muselier. The parties signed a memorandum of cooperation for 5 years and discussed support for the medical sector and The Superhumans project.

Donald Tusk suggests creating a "maritime police" to protect the Baltic Sea from Russian threats. The initiative comes after the recent damage to an underwater telecommunications cable between Finland and Germany.

Latvia and the United Kingdom lead the International Drone Coalition, which will support Ukraine with €1. 8 billion in 2024. The Coalition has a €83 million Joint Fund for the purchase of drones and the development of their production.

The prime ministers of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia called on Western partners to increase assistance to Ukraine. The countries agreed that Europe's security depends on Ukraine's victory and its Euro-Atlantic integration.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the creation of the Northern Group-Ukraine format involving 12 countries. The first meeting was held in Denmark, where they discussed plans for 2025 and the equipment of combat brigades.

Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of the Kyiv RMA, met with representatives of Tuscany to discuss the security situation and the Victory Plan. The parties agreed to expand the network of twin communities and help restore infrastructure.