Ukraine and Latvia Sign Drone Defense Deal to Boost Military Cooperation in 2026

Ukraine and Latvia have signed a new drone cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening defense capabilities, expanding military technology collaboration, and enhancing drone production between the two countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the deal during a meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs on the sidelines of the Nordic-Baltic (NB8) summit in Tallinn, Estonia.

The summit brought together leaders from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway shortly after Zelensky returned from high-level discussions in London with the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany regarding support for Ukraine and potential ceasefire negotiations.

While specific details of the Ukraine-Latvia drone agreement were not disclosed, Zelensky described it as an important step toward strengthening joint defense, military co-production, and technological cooperation. He emphasized that Ukraine’s extensive battlefield experience, particularly in drone warfare, is becoming a valuable asset for European partners seeking to improve their security capabilities.

Kulbergs stated that the partnership will provide Latvia with access to Ukrainian expertise in drone technology and air defense. Under the agreement, Ukrainian anti-drone specialists will be deployed to Latvia immediately to share combat experience, training methods, and advanced technological solutions. The initiative also includes plans for joint defense manufacturing projects between the two nations.

According to Rustem Umerov, chairman of Ukraine’s Defense and Security Council, Latvia has become the sixth country to join Kyiv’s international drone cooperation program. Zelensky recently revealed that nearly 20 countries have expressed interest in similar drone-related partnerships with Ukraine.

The agreement comes as NATO-member Baltic states face increasing concerns over drone incursions into their airspace. Ukraine has attributed several recent incidents to Russian electronic warfare systems disrupting drone navigation routes.

In a joint statement issued after the Tallinn summit, NB8 leaders highlighted plans to deepen cooperation with Ukraine through defense-industrial partnerships, military training, intelligence sharing, and the adoption of battlefield-tested Ukrainian drone technologies. The group also welcomed opportunities for co-production and technology exports that could strengthen Europe’s overall defense readiness against emerging security threats.