Three Baltic States Promote Ukraine as EU Candidate

According to media reports, the foreign ministers of the three Baltic states visited Ukraine together on May 6 and met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Kuleba, and others. The foreign ministers said they are working with allies to promote Ukraine’s membership candidacy during the EU summit in June. The three foreign ministers pledged that they would keep up diplomatic and political pressure on Russia, push for tougher international sanctions, and further isolate Russia internationally, while providing ongoing military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to help it rebuild. They also stressed the need to use all feasible legal means to investigate war crimes committed by Russian forces and to hold the Russian government accountable.

Estonian Foreign Minister, Eva-Maria Liimets, said her government will commit an additional 3 million euros to Ukraine, on top of the 1.9 million euros in humanitarian aid it has already provided. She reiterated Estonia’s support for NATO’s policy of maintaining an “open door.” Latvian Foreign Minister, Edgars Rinkēvičs, stressed the importance of rebuilding schools and assisting victims of sexual violence. Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, noted that Ukraine is fighting not only for itself, but also for the freedom of other nations. Therefore, it must receive more military assistance.