Latvia remains committed to supporting Ukraine by providing substantial military and financial assistance aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and contributing to its victory in the war against russia. The Republic of Latvia has pledged to provide Ukraine with military assistance in the amount of 0.25% of GDP annually for 2024-2026, which is approximately €112 million per year. The total amount of assistance already provided to Ukraine will reach €850 million in April, of which the military part is €392 million.
In 2024, Latvia provided Ukraine with unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, howitzers, small arms and personal equipment, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, Stinger air defense systems, radars, vehicles, and fuel. In 2025, Latvia’s military support for Ukraine will consist mainly of new purchases by Latvian industry, investments in international drones and other coalitions, and training for the Ukrainian military.
In February 2024, Latvia, together with the United Kingdom, initiated the creation of a coalition to produce and supply drones to Ukraine. This coalition was joined by 18 countries that pledged to provide resources for the production and supply of unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine. In 2024, Latvia allocated €20 million and supplied almost 5,000 drones to Ukraine. As part of this coalition, two Latvian companies will supply 12,000 drones in the first half of 2025. In April, a batch of 1,500 UAVs, as well as thermal imagers and five-ton telescopic forklifts, were shipped to Ukraine.
In March 2025, the Latvian government approved a €10 million strategic investment in Ukraine’s drone industry to promote cooperation between the defense industries of both countries and implement joint projects.
The Republic of Latvia will also provide funding for the Czech initiative to purchase 155 mm shells for a total of about €10 million. In addition, Riga will continue to contribute to the Estonian-led Information Technology Coalition and the Lithuanian-led Mine Action Coalition by providing equipment and training under the UDCG.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Latvia has trained about 4,000 Ukrainian soldiers and plans to train a similar number in 2025. In addition, it will continue to rehabilitate and treat Ukrainian soldiers in Latvian medical and rehabilitation institutions, as well as strengthen Ukraine’s rehabilitation sector through the implementation of relevant cooperation projects.
In January, Ukrainian soldiers received another assistance from the people of Latvia – more than 40 four-wheel drive vehicles, which, together with critical cargo (drones, computer equipment, generators and charging stations), were delivered to Ukraine for 14 combat brigades defending our country from enemy aggression.
Latvia remains an important trading partner of Dnipropetrovsk region. The high level of partnership is evidenced by the bilateral analysis of foreign activities. Latvian enterprises are most interested in iron locomotive parts, cocoa and cocoa products, ferrous metals and products therof, etc. According to the results of 2024, the volume of exports of goods from Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to $24.9 million and increased by 20.7% compared to 2023.
More than 100 companies in Dnipropetrovsk region have exported their products to the Latvian market, including metallurgical enterprises, engineering, processing and agricultural companies.
Imports of goods from Latvia to Dnipropetrovsk region decreased by 12% compared to 2023 and amounted to $28.2 million.
About 70 importers in the region bought meat and fish products, coffee and tea, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Import operations were mainly carried out by food and processing companies, trade and pharmaceutical companies.
Source: information for the article was taken from open online sources
