Estonia to Lead Nordic-Baltic Eight in 2026, Prioritizing Support for Ukraine
From January 1, 2026, Estonia takes over the rotating chairmanship of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8), a regional cooperation framework uniting Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Estonia.
The Gaze informs about it, referring to ERR.
According to Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the chairmanship will focus on strengthening regional cooperation, increasing the NB8’s international visibility, and deepening strategic integration across the Nordic-Baltic region.
“The NB8 countries together are significantly larger, more visible, and more influential than when acting separately,” said Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. “We want to be seen as a single and strong region which, despite the relatively small size of its states, is one of the key economic and political partners in the Euro-Atlantic space.”
Estonia also plans to use its NB8 leadership to advance closer coordination on defense policy, resilience against hybrid threats, energy security, and critical infrastructure protection.
A central pillar of Estonia’s chairmanship will be the continuation of comprehensive support for Ukraine, alongside maintaining a leading role in coordinated pressure on Russia.
The Nordic and Baltic countries intend to remain among Ukraine’s most active political, military, and economic supporters, while also shaping broader European and transatlantic approaches toward Russia’s aggression.
“Cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries is a multiplier of our shared security, economic strength, and political influence. Our goal is to be leaders both in supporting Ukraine and in strengthening transatlantic ties,” Tsahkna said.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Cyprus has begun its six-month presidency of the EU, promising that Ukraine will remain a priority.
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