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The defence ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have agreed to increase defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product starting in 2026. This will be a record figure in the region and a signal of the Baltic states’ readiness to deter Russian aggression.
The agreement was reached during a trilateral meeting at the Estonian airbase Emari, Delfi reports.
“Today’s security situation requires us to take ambitious decisions. The Baltic states must not only be protected, but also able to act as part of a strong European defence system,” said Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur.
Key topics of the negotiations:
- Increase in defence spending to 5% of GDP from 2026.
- Strengthening investment in the EU defence industry through joint financial mechanisms.
- The Baltic Sea Defence Line project involves the construction of new fortifications and a joint approach to obtaining EU funding.
The Russian “shadow fleet” in the Baltic Sea was discussed separately, which, according to Pevkur, “Russia is already actually covering with military means”. This, according to the Estonian minister, demonstrates the effectiveness of Western sanctions and the need for enhanced monitoring and maritime security.
The meeting was another step towards deeper integration of the defence policies of the three countries, which remain among Ukraine’s most active allies in the region.
