The leaders of eight Nordic and Baltic countries today expressed their support for Ukraine’s “irreversible path” toward membership in NATO and the European Union “as soon as possible,” in a joint statement adopted at a regional summit in Tallinn.

The heads of government of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia met in the Estonian capital in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Ukraine is a strategic security partner for NATO, directly contributing to Euro-Atlantic security through its battlefield experience, technological innovation, and industrial capabilities,” the eight leaders emphasized.

They underlined their support for Ukraine on its “irreversible path toward full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.”

The leaders welcomed Ukraine’s expected participation in the upcoming NATO summit, scheduled for July 7–8 in Ankara.

On the sidelines of the summit, Latvia’s new Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and President Zelensky signed a defense cooperation agreement, which will grant Latvia greater access to Ukraine’s experience in protecting airspace against drone attacks.

Latvia and the two other Baltic states—former Soviet republics sharing long borders with Russia—have reported in recent weeks an increasing number of drone incursions and crashes on their territory.

Participating in the summit via videoconference, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated France’s “continuous commitment,” particularly through its military presence on the eastern flank of the continent.

On Monday, NATO-deployed French Rafale jets stationed in the Baltic states reportedly shot down a drone over Latvian territory.

According to the French head of state, “Russia is failing in Ukraine. This shows that its territorial and strategic claims are futile. However, it continues to provoke its neighbors in an attempt to break out of its deadlock.”

“We will face this together,” he said.

At the same time, Nordic and Baltic leaders in Tallinn welcomed the “progress made” by Kyiv on its path toward European integration and called for the “without delay” opening of all negotiation chapters with Ukraine in June–July 2026, stating that Ukraine’s EU membership should be completed as soon as possible.

They added that Ukraine’s accession to the EU would form part of the “core security guarantees for both Ukraine and Europe.”