Together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Finnish head of state and the Swedish head of government, the leaders in attendance are focussing on expectations of the Washington summit, long-term support for Ukraine and the country’s further integration with NATO. There will also be an exchange of views on the need to bolster the alliance’s defence and deterrence posture in response to the ongoing threat posed by Russia, including bringing its posture into line with defence plans.
The Washington summit in July should see decisions made to reinforce NATO security so as to strengthen deterrence on its eastern flank and reinforce long-term transatlantic deterrence in particular.
The B9 format incorporates Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. The objective of today’s meeting is to harmonise the countries’ positions on key issues pertaining to the security and defence of the alliance’s eastern flank ahead of the full summit in Washington.
The event is being attended by President Edgars Rinkēvičs of Latvia, President Klaus Iohannis of Romania and President Andrzej Duda of Poland. Also taking part are President Alexander Stubb of Finland and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden.
The B9 summit in Riga is taking place in NATO’s 75th anniversary year.
President Karis will be returning to Estonia this evening.
