B. Braže with Minister of State of the United Kingdom S. Doughty: All allies must continue to support Ukraine’s self-defence and maximise pressure on Russia. We highly appreciate the UK’s contribution to the security of the Baltic and NATO’s eastern flank

On 28 January 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, welcomed Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on a working visit. The Ministers discussed security in the Euro-Atlantic area and transatlantic relations, support for Ukraine’s self-defence capabilities and containment of Russia, bilateral and NATO cooperation, and deepening EU-UK relations. Baiba Braže and Stephen Doughty also discussed cooperation between Latvia and the United Kingdom in the UN Security Council, of which the UK is a permanent member. 

Baiba Braže emphasised that this month marks 105 years since Latvia’s international (de jure) recognition. On 26 January 1921, the Supreme War Council, including the United Kingdom, recognised the state of Latvia de jure. The United Kingdom has never recognised the Soviet Union’s occupation of Latvia. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže:

“The United Kingdom has always been a friend of Latvia and one of its closest allies in the areas of security and defence. We have excellent cooperation within NATO, regionally and bilaterally, as well as in support of Ukraine – both in coordinating sanctions against Russia, especially the “shadow fleet” and its ecosystem, and in jointly leading the Drone Coalition. Last year, Latvia allocated EUR 20 million to the Drone Coalition, and this year it plans to provide EUR 50 million in support. 

I thank the United Kingdom for its significant contribution to the security of the Baltic Sea, the Northern Region and NATO’s Eastern Flank, in particular the presence of soldiers in our region – in the multinational brigade in Estonia, in the Eastern Sentry in Poland, regular participation in the Baltic airspace patrol mission, as well as leading the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and the Coalition of the Willing (CoW). 

We agree that all allies must continue to support Ukraine’s self-defence and that global pressure on Russia must be maximised. Russia is not interested in peace and poses the most serious threat to transatlantic security. Russia’s goal is to divide the allies and weaken support for Ukraine. Our common priority is to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine.”  

The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Artjoms Uršuļskis, and the Minister of State of the United Kingdom, Stephen Doughty, discussed current issues in bilateral relations, opportunities for political dialogue, economic, security and defence issues, and matters on the agenda of the European Union and the United Kingdom: “We are close allies in NATO, the UN, regionally and bilaterally. The United Kingdom is one of Latvia’s most important allies in the field of security and defence, as well as a significant trading partner. Latvia supports closer cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom, based on shared interests in foreign policy, security and defence, as well as trade and economic matters.” 

During his visit, Minister of State Stephen Doughty visited the Autonomous Systems Competence Centre, where he met with Minister of Defence, Andris Sprūds, and together with the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, Head of the Saeima Group for Cooperation with the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Antoņina Ņenaševa, laid flowers at the Freedom Monument. 

Background information

• The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force is a high-readiness force capable of responding rapidly, conducting full-spectrum operations, and responding to any crisis development to prevent its possible escalation, including participation in UN, NATO, and EU operations.

• Since the establishment of the Drone Coalition on 14 February 2024, its Member States have already provided significant support to Ukraine through the delivery of drones. The total support of all Drone Coalition Member States to Ukraine’s drone capabilities reached EUR 1.8 billion in 2024.

• The coalition includes 20 Member States – Latvia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, as well as Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Türkiye, Germany, and Sweden.

• The United Kingdom is home to Latvia’s largest diaspora – more than 160,000 compatriots.

• More about bilateral relations between the Republic of Latvia and the United Kingdom (in Latvian).

Cover photo: Laura Celmiņa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs