Baltic States Unite in G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine

Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia have joined the "Group of Seven" declaration in support of Ukraine, which was adopted during the NATO summit in Vilnius. This declaration is also referred to as the "Security Assurances Declaration." The news about this collective decision was simultaneously announced by the Prime Ministers of the three Baltic nations, with corresponding information posted on Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas's Twitter account.

The heads of government of the Baltic States intend to collaborate with Ukraine within the framework of this international declaration. Their aim is to establish commitments and mechanisms to assist Ukraine in achieving swift victory in this conflict, ensuring economic stability and reconstruction, implementing reforms, and facilitating resilience and further progress on its European and Euro-Atlantic path.

"We will collaborate with Ukraine under this international program to create security commitments and mechanisms that will help Ukraine overcome this conflict as quickly as possible, maintain economic stability and reconstruction, and ensure the implementation of reforms, resilience, and advancement on its European and Euro-Atlantic path," they stated.

The Prime Ministers emphasized that Ukraine's fight against the aggressor, Russia, contributes to safeguarding Euro-Atlantic security and the rules-based international order. They also pledged to support Ukraine until victory is achieved and actively participate in international efforts to protect the country's independence, democracy, and well-being, as well as hold those responsible for aggression crimes accountable.

"We firmly believe that only NATO membership will provide Ukraine with security guarantees and a reliable deterrent to prevent further aggression by expansionist Russia. Ukraine's NATO membership will significantly enhance Euro-Atlantic security and stability. At the NATO summit in Vilnius, allies agreed that Ukraine's future lies within NATO. We will continue to provide unwavering support to Ukraine to swiftly become a member of the Alliance," the joint statement of the Prime Ministers read.

They also plan to cooperate with Ukraine on its path to EU membership and hope that accession negotiations will commence in 2023 after a proper assessment by the European Commission.

As known, the "Group of Seven" countries agreed on a framework document for "security assurances" for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Vilnius. The leaders agreed on the framework of the security assurances, without specifying the concrete parameters, with bilateral agreements expected to be signed at a later time.