President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, as reported by the official website of the President of Ukraine. The discussion focused primarily on cooperation within the Drone Deal coalition, which has become a vital component of Ukraine’s defense strategy.
During the call, Edgars Rinkēvičs praised the work of Ukrainian specialists currently operating in Latvia to advance drone technology. President Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine highly values this partnership and remains prepared to assist allies with combat-tested expertise and equipment. A significant outcome of the discussion was Latvia’s decision to provide an additional €7 million to the PURL program, bringing its total contribution to €24 million. Zelenskyy noted that every such contribution directly translates into saved lives against ongoing Russian aerial attacks.
The leaders also addressed the implementation of joint projects under the SAFE initiative and coordinated their positions ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. Rinkēvičs congratulated Ukraine on the opening of the first negotiation cluster for EU membership, marking a milestone in Ukraine’s path toward integration. As approximately 20 countries have expressed interest in participating in the Drone Deal initiative, this strategic collaboration with Latvia serves as a blueprint for international cooperation in defense manufacturing. By combining technological resources with real-world battlefield experience, Ukraine and its partners are building a resilient defense infrastructure capable of adapting to evolving combat conditions. The diplomatic dialogue between Kyiv and Riga underscores a shared commitment to regional security and the absolute necessity of maintaining sustained military support to ensure Ukraine’s sovereign stability.