German manufacturer Rheinmetall is opening Europe's largest artillery shell production plant near Hanover on August 27. The enterprise will produce up to 350,000 shells per year after reaching full capacity in 2027.
Finland is fortifying 200 km of its border with Russia, erecting a strong fence to prevent illegal migration. This decision was made after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Finland's accession to NATO.
Ukraine deepens cooperation with Denmark in the defense industry. The next step will be the production of Ukrainian weapons on the territory of Denmark.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated the 34th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence, hosting delegations from Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Great Britain. He thanked international partners for their support in the war and emphasized the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine met with his Latvian counterpart, discussing further cooperation. Latvia allocated 2 million euros for arms procurement and participates in the Drone Coalition.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will hold official meetings in Warsaw, Berlin, and Riga on August 25–27. The main topics of the visit are strengthening transatlantic relations, developing strategic industries, and unwavering support for Ukraine.
NATO's easternmost countries are experiencing a sharp increase in radio and satellite jamming, affecting air and sea communications. Lithuania accused Russia of a 22-fold increase in GPS jamming.
Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania have banned or restricted real estate purchases by Russian citizens for national security reasons. Estonia, Norway, and the state of Texas are also considering similar measures.
American senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal are considering a bill to recognize Russia and Belarus as state sponsors of terrorism. This is due to the systematic abduction of Ukrainian children during the war, which threatens their Ukrainian identity.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs commented on the meeting between Trump and Putin, noting that the coming weeks will show whether Russia seeks a settlement of the war. He emphasized the need for serious guarantees for a peace agreement and continued pressure on the Russian Federation.
Leaders of eight Nordic and Baltic states reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and Donald Trump's efforts to end Russian aggression. They demand a ceasefire, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the return of abducted children.
Former PrivatBank management will face trial for embezzling UAH 8. 4 billion. The case concerns the withdrawal of funds abroad on the eve of the bank's nationalization.
Lithuania is moving towards creating an echeloned line of defense with anti-tank ditches and fortifications. The project, worth 1.1 billion euros, will be integrated with the defense lines of Latvia and Estonia.
Latvia joins the NATO PURL mechanism, allocating at least 2 million euros for the purchase of weapons for Ukraine. This initiative provides for the centralized procurement of critically needed weapons, in particular air defense systems.
A 27-year-old Ukrainian man, who arrived from Latvia, died at a construction site in Ingolstadt, Germany. The man fell from a height of six meters along with a forklift, sustaining severe injuries.
Latvia sent 16 fire trucks to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine as part of the Civil Protection Mechanism. These vehicles will strengthen the logistical base of the State Emergency Service units and will be distributed throughout Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine and Moldova should move forward in the negotiation process regarding EU accession. He emphasized that Ukraine has done everything to open the first cluster of negotiations, and artificial pauses will only harm Europe.
Contacts with leaders of other countries and ways to end the Russian-Ukrainian war were discussed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs discussed a new instrument for supplying weapons to Ukraine, PURL, which Latvia is ready to join. Ukraine's European integration path and the need to open a negotiation cluster were also discussed.
An international coalition, led by Canada and Ukraine, called on Russia to unconditionally return abducted Ukrainian children. 38 countries, the Council of Europe, and the EU signed a joint statement, emphasizing the violation of international law.
Poland extended border control with Lithuania and Germany until October 4 due to the threat of illegal migration. The decision was agreed with partners and is aimed at closing the migration route.
The number of representatives of Georgia's ruling party "Georgian Dream" and related individuals who have fallen under Western sanctions has exceeded 230. Restrictions were imposed by the USA, Great Britain, the Baltic states, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Ukraine.
Defense ministers of the Baltic states did not receive guarantees from the US regarding maintaining the number of American troops on NATO's eastern flank. The US promises to discuss a possible troop withdrawal with allies.
Ukraine's leading allies in Europe plan to approach the EU for tens of billions of euros in loans for joint procurement of weapons for Ukraine and to strengthen their own defense. The SAFE program envisages loans for weapons, financed by EU debt with a 45-year repayment period.
Nine countries have officially expressed interest in borrowing funds from the EU military procurement program SAFE by the deadline. Poland plans to request 25 billion euros, and Greece – at least 1.2 billion euros.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine discussed military support with Latvia and Spain. Latvia transferred UAVs and 42 Patria 6x6 APCs, Spain helps with air defense and military training.
Law enforcement agencies of two countries conducted a large-scale special operation, liquidating a transnational criminal group involved in the production and sale of synthetic drugs. 8 multi-laboratories were discovered, and large quantities of drugs, equipment, and weapons were seized.
The ICRC, together with the National Police of Ukraine and the Commissioner for Missing Persons, will conduct DNA sample collection in the Baltic and Northern European countries. Applications are accepted until July 31, 2025, to search for missing relatives.
Ukrainian police, together with foreign colleagues, identified a resident of Dnipro who sent false reports about the mining of educational institutions and leisure centers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Latvia. He has been charged with knowingly false reporting of a threat to public safety.
A number of countries issued a joint statement, calling on Israel to cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip due to the suffering of the civilian population. The Israeli Prime Minister's advisor called this statement a "delusion" that sends Hamas a "wrong and dangerous signal" because it does not pressure the group.
