On 21 May, during a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis, and the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, discussed the threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles to the Baltic states airspace and the need to strengthen NATO defence capabilities on the Alliance’s eastern flank.
President Rinkēvičs, together with the Presidents of Estonia and Lithuania, firmly condemned claims made by institutions and officials of the Russian Federation alleging that the Baltic states have ever allowed, or intend to allow, their territory or airspace to be used for drone attacks against the territory of the Russian Federation. The officials also rejected and categorically condemned the threats expressed by Russia against Latvia during the UN Security Council meeting on May 19.
The Baltic states leaders expressed their appreciation for the contribution of NATO Allies to strengthening Baltic security through Baltic air patrolling and the presence of Allied forces in the Baltic states, including NATO activities Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry.
The Presidents of the Baltic states emphasised the need for NATO to continue investing in defence capabilities, particularly air defence and counter-drone capabilities. At the same time, E. Rinkēvičs noted that the Alliance must review its capability targets in order to respond more effectively to current challenges and threats, while also strengthening the Baltic airspace patrol mission.
During the telephone conversation, the Presidents of the Baltic states agreed on a joint statement: