NB8 Says Russia Remains Major Security Threat, Calls for International Support for Ukraine
Foreign ministers of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) recently issued a joint statement identifying Russia as the most direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security. They called on the international community to continue full support for Ukraine and emphasized that Ukraine's accession process to the EU and NATO should be continuously advanced.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 18:32
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Vilnius, May 2 (CNA) — Foreign ministers of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) recently issued a joint statement identifying Russia as the most direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security. They called on the international community to continue and fully support Ukraine and emphasized that Ukraine's accession process to the EU and NATO should be continuously advanced.
The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) is a regional cooperation framework comprising Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, used to promote coordination and cooperation across multiple fields, including politics, security, and economics.
The eight foreign ministers met from April 29 to 30 on Saaremaa Island, Estonia, with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas participating.
The participating countries issued a joint statement after the meeting, stating that in the face of Russia's continued aggression, Ukraine needs credible and legally binding security guarantees, as well as long-term military, cyber, and reconstruction assistance.
NB8 expressed support for Ukraine's right to self-defense and emphasized that achieving a just and lasting peace must be based on adherence to international law, ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The countries also called for holding Russia and its leadership accountable, including promoting the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression and related compensation mechanisms.
According to the statement, NB8 reiterated its commitment to continue and strengthen sanctions against Russia, undermine its sources of war funding, and enhance efforts to combat Russia's shadow fleet. In addition, NB8 also pledged to participate in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts and will attend relevant international conferences in 2026 and 2027.
At the security level, the statement pointed out that NATO remains the core of collective defense and called for enhancing European defense capabilities, including increasing defense spending, expanding military production, and strengthening military mobility, while deepening regional cooperation.
Regarding Russia's continued hybrid warfare and information manipulation, NB8 stated it would strengthen societal resilience to prevent external interference from undermining democratic institutions. In addition, the countries also expressed concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia and reiterated their support for democratic values.
The statement also noted that Belarus continues to cooperate with Russia's actions, and NB8 will not adjust its policy towards it until the situation improves.
NB8 countries also emphasized that they will continue to coordinate actions at the security, economic, and diplomatic levels to jointly address regional and global challenges. (Edited by Tang Sheng-yang) 1150502
The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) is a regional cooperation framework comprising Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, used to promote coordination and cooperation across multiple fields, including politics, security, and economics.
The eight foreign ministers met from April 29 to 30 on Saaremaa Island, Estonia, with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas participating.
The participating countries issued a joint statement after the meeting, stating that in the face of Russia's continued aggression, Ukraine needs credible and legally binding security guarantees, as well as long-term military, cyber, and reconstruction assistance.
NB8 expressed support for Ukraine's right to self-defense and emphasized that achieving a just and lasting peace must be based on adherence to international law, ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The countries also called for holding Russia and its leadership accountable, including promoting the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression and related compensation mechanisms.
According to the statement, NB8 reiterated its commitment to continue and strengthen sanctions against Russia, undermine its sources of war funding, and enhance efforts to combat Russia's shadow fleet. In addition, NB8 also pledged to participate in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts and will attend relevant international conferences in 2026 and 2027.
At the security level, the statement pointed out that NATO remains the core of collective defense and called for enhancing European defense capabilities, including increasing defense spending, expanding military production, and strengthening military mobility, while deepening regional cooperation.
Regarding Russia's continued hybrid warfare and information manipulation, NB8 stated it would strengthen societal resilience to prevent external interference from undermining democratic institutions. In addition, the countries also expressed concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia and reiterated their support for democratic values.
The statement also noted that Belarus continues to cooperate with Russia's actions, and NB8 will not adjust its policy towards it until the situation improves.
NB8 countries also emphasized that they will continue to coordinate actions at the security, economic, and diplomatic levels to jointly address regional and global challenges. (Edited by Tang Sheng-yang) 1150502