The Nordic and Baltic countries alongside Poland announced on Wednesday that they would increase their support for Ukraine in the coming months. This support will include strengthening the country’s defense industry and investing in the provision of additional ammunition.
“We are committed to strengthening our defenses, including deterrence and resilience against both conventional and hybrid attacks, and to expanding sanctions against Russia and those who enable Russian aggression,” the leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, and Sweden said in a statement.
Meeting at the Swedish government retreat in Harpsund, southwest of Stockholm, the leaders discussed transatlantic relations, regional security cooperation, and a common policy on the war in Ukraine.
Baltic, Scandinavian, and Polish aid: Second largest to Kyiv
The election of Donald Trump to a second term as president has raised questions about the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia and Washington’s role in NATO.
The Scandinavian and Baltic countries, many of which border Russia, are among Ukraine’s biggest supporters. According to the Kiel Institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker, aid from Scandinavia, the Baltics, and Poland has totaled approximately 24 billion euros, making them the second-largest contributors in absolute terms, after the United States.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated: “Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. This is only possible if we strengthen our cooperation and continue to support Ukraine in the long term as it fights for its security and ours.”
Criticism of China grows in the Baltics
Nordic and Baltic leaders, who view China’s growing support for Russia as damaging to Beijing’s relations with Europe, have also called for an urgent toughening of the EU’s response to hybrid warfare, including sabotage of critical infrastructure.
The prime ministers of Finland and Sweden told the Financial Times (FT) that it was too early to draw conclusions about who was responsible for damaging the Finland-Germany and Sweden-Lithuania data cables and the motivation behind it. A joint Finnish-Swedish investigation into the matter is currently underway.
However, Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo expressed concern: “We have seen that China is increasingly supporting Russia. I am worried. I hope they have heard Europe’s message. It would not be good for relations between Europe and China if they increased their support for Russia in its fight against Ukraine,” he warned.
Chinese-flagged ship at the center of tensions
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal also spoke at the Nordic-Baltic summit, saying: “This has happened twice before. Is it really bad seamanship? We need an impartial inquiry. But such incidents and Russia’s support in Ukraine affect China’s ability to do business with Europe and limit its diplomatic options.”
All eyes are now on the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, whose anchor was allegedly damaged in recent television footage taken just outside Danish territorial waters.
The ship is being closely monitored by the Swedish, Danish, and German navies. Maritime information shows that the Yi Peng 3 is passing close to the Finland-Germany and Sweden-Lithuania data cables, which were cut earlier this month.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has called on China to order the Yi Peng 3 to enter Swedish waters to assist with the investigation.
