Latvia Approves Extra €5 Million for Drone Support to Ukraine
Latvia’s parliament has approved an additional €5 million in funding for the purchase of unmanned systems to support Ukraine.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Delfi.
The decision, endorsed by lawmakers in the Saeima, redirects the funds from a budget line of Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that had been earmarked for contributions to the European Peace Facility.
The reallocation became possible after Hungary blocked EU-wide decisions on military assistance to Ukraine through the mechanism, leaving part of Latvia’s planned contribution unused.
Under the revised allocation, the funds will be transferred to Latvia’s Ministry of Defence to finance the procurement of drone systems for Ukraine. The move is also intended to stimulate Latvia’s domestic industry, particularly companies developing dual-use and defence-related technologies.
Latvia’s foreign ministry said the shift allows the government to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine despite obstacles at the EU level, ensuring that available state budget resources are used effectively.
Latvia has been a consistent supporter of Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, providing military aid, humanitarian assistance, and backing Kyiv’s defence initiatives through both national and international channels.
The latest decision comes alongside broader defence spending plans for next year. According to Latvian authorities, the country intends to allocate more than €200 million in 2026 to strengthen air defence capabilities, while an additional €50 million will be directed toward expanding unmanned aerial vehicle programs.
As The Gaze previously reported, Latvia expanded its support for Ukraine by contributing an additional €2.2 million to the NATO PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List) initiative, which finances the purchase of American weapons for the Ukrainian forces.
Additionally, during the visit of Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže to Kyiv, Ukraine and Latvia agreed to expand their defense cooperation.