The United States is ending military aid to Ukraine, shifting responsibility for Kyiv’s defense onto Europe — which has so far failed to match its rhetoric with real support. That’s the conclusion drawn by journalist and war analyst Owen Matthews in a recent Telegraph opinion piece.

Speaking at Congressional hearings on the 2026 US defense budget, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the Trump administration has a “very different view” of the war than its predecessor, favoring a “negotiated peaceful settlement.” The move brings an end to the Biden-era policy that sent $74 billion in US military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

That aid included critical systems like Patriot missile defenses, HIMARS, tanks, and long-range artillery—support Kyiv now stands to lose.

Europe promises more than it pays

With the US stepping back, Europe is expected to take the lead. But Matthews points out that Europe’s follow-through has been inconsistent at best.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s widely publicized ReArm Europe plan suggested €800 billion in defense spending—but the figure relied on easing borrowing rules, not actual funds. A proposed €40 billion EU arms package for Ukraine was blocked by member states, including Hungary and Italy. Only €1 billion, pulled from frozen Russian assets, has so far materialized.

Meanwhile, Europe is projected to spend over €20 billion on Russian oil, gas, coal, and uranium in 2025—more than it is expected to spend on Ukraine’s defense.

“As long as Europe continues to spend more on financing Putin’s war machine than it does on Ukraine’s, its promises… ring rather hollow,” Matthews writes.

Ukraine ramps up but faces gaps

Despite limited external support, Ukraine is expanding domestic arms production. Local output now meets up to 50% of military needs, including howitzers, drones, and electronic warfare tools. Matthews notes that Ukraine’s Limma jamming system outperforms Western and Russian equivalents.

Still, Ukraine remains vulnerable: shortages in ammunition, spare parts, and trained soldiers persist. Reports of forced conscription have triggered online backlash.

Russia, meanwhile, is set to spend $160 billion on defense this year—double Ukraine’s—and benefits from lower production costs.

With US aid gone and European promises still falling short, Matthews argues Kyiv is now fighting for survival with diminishing resources and uncertain allies.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Latvia — a small country of under 2 million people — has emerged as one of Ukraine’s most committed and proactive allies. Despite its size, Latvia considers supporting Ukraine a national priority, driven by its own history of Soviet occupation and the reality of having an aggressive Russia as a direct neighbor. For Latvia, Ukraine’s fight is not just about territorial defense — it’s about the future of European security and the rules-based international order.

As a NATO and EU member, Latvia has consistently provided Ukraine with military aid, humanitarian assistance, and political support, far surpassing expectations for a country of its size.

This commitment was formalized in April 2024, when Latvia became the first Baltic nation to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine, reaffirming its role as a key strategic partner. This 10-year agreement outlines comprehensive support across multiple areas — from defense industry cooperation and military training to sanctions and energy infrastructure restoration.

In collaboration with the Dnistrianskyi Center, Euromaidan Press presents this English-language adaptation of Dariia Cherniavska’s analysis on Latvia’s role in Ukraine’s defense, recovery, and pursuit of justice.

Military aid: A small nation with big impact

Latvia’s military support is both substantial and strategic. Under the security agreement, Latvia committed to dedicating 0.25% of its GDP annually to military assistance for Ukraine from 2024 through 2026. In practice, it exceeded that pledge in 2024, delivering €170 million in military aid — well above its promised €112 million.

This aid included a mix of essential defense equipment:

• 42 Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers, manufactured in Latvia
• 9 CVR(T) reconnaissance vehicles donated from British stock
• A batch of NBS air defense systems
• Participation in the Czech initiative with a €10 million contribution to purchase 3,000 artillery shells

But one of Latvia’s most impactful contributions is in the drone warfare domain. Together with the UK, Latvia co-launched the Drone Coalition in February 2024 — a multinational effort to scale Ukraine’s unmanned aerial capabilities. Latvia contributed €20 million to this initiative in its first year, delivering nearly 5,000 drones, with 12,000 more UAVs scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2025.

In a bold policy stance, Latvia authorized Ukraine to use all weapons provided — including drones — to strike inside Russian territory, reinforcing Ukraine’s right to defend itself fully.

Building defense industry ties

Latvia’s commitment doesn’t end with deliveries. It is also fostering long-term defense industry cooperation with Ukraine. At least €10 million of Latvia’s drone funding in 2024 was invested in Latvian companies producing UAVs specifically for Ukraine.

In 2025, that investment continues, and Latvia has pledged another €10 million for joint defense manufacturing projects. Two Latvian companies — unnamed for security reasons — are producing the 12,000 drones being delivered in early 2025.

Additionally, the Finnish company Patria opened a production facility in Latvia in 2024, which now builds the armored vehicles supplied to Ukraine. This move strengthens Latvia’s own defense sector while reinforcing Ukraine’s ground capabilities.

Training Ukrainian forces to NATO standards

Latvia has provided crucial training for Ukrainian soldiers, ensuring they meet NATO military standards. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, over 4,000 Ukrainian troops have undergone training in Latvia.

The programs have covered a wide range of specializations: snipers, sappers, engineers, commanding officers, and, more recently, UAV operators. Latvia began drone operator training in mid-2024 as part of its support to the Drone Coalition.

In 2025, Latvia plans to train an additional 4,000 soldiers and has joined efforts to form and train the Nordic-Baltic Brigade — a 3,000–5,000-strong Ukrainian formation supported by Latvia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, and Lithuania.

Latvia’s role in sanctions and legal accountability

As a member of the European Union, Latvia plays a vital role in implementing and advocating for sanctions against Russia and its enablers. Between April 2024 and April 2025, the EU announced three new sanctions packages — with Latvia consistently supporting stronger measures.

Latvia has also taken individual steps. In February 2024, it became the first EU country to ban agricultural imports from Russia and Belarus, setting a precedent later followed by others. Latvia also contested EU decisions to remove certain Russian individuals from the sanctions list and maintained national sanctions against those dropped at Hungary’s request.

Beyond sanctions, Latvia is deeply involved in international justice efforts. It is an active member of the Joint Investigation Team on Russian war crimes and has helped draft the legal framework for a special tribunal on aggression against Ukraine. In March 2025, Latvian courts sentenced a citizen to five years in prison for participating in the war on Russia’s side — a rare case of domestic enforcement.

Cybersecurity and non-military security support

Latvia’s support extends into the information and digital realm. In 2024, it joined the IT Coalition, helping to raise €482 million for Ukraine’s cyber defense and communications capabilities.

Through this partnership, Latvia provided:

• €100,000 worth of frontline communications equipment
• Over 1,000 computers and monitors to bolster cybersecurity in Ukrainian government institutions
• A bilateral cybersecurity memorandum, establishing protocols for cooperation and intelligence sharing

This kind of digital support is crucial as Ukraine faces increasingly complex cyber threats from Russian-linked actors.

Humanitarian aid and reconstruction: Focus on Chernihiv Oblast

Latvia has also made post-war recovery a core part of its Ukraine strategy, particularly in the Chernihiv region, where it has pledged €15 million for 2024–2026.

In 2024 alone, Latvian funding helped rebuild:

• The Talalayivka Lyceum, damaged by shelling
• The Chernihiv Regional Children’s Hospital
• Educational and preschool facilities in surrounding communities

Latvia also delivered medical equipment worth €345,000, including 36 ventilators, and helped supply Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Hospital after a missile attack.

Its support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been equally significant. Latvia donated over 70 transformers, dozens of diesel generators, and even a 250 MVA high-voltage transformer formerly used at Riga’s hydroelectric power station.

During mass Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid in 2024, Latvia and 13 other countries sent 2,400 tons of emergency energy equipment, aiding 57 Ukrainian utility companies.

Demining: Clearing the path to recovery

Latvia plays an active role in humanitarian demining through the Demining Coalition, which raised over €50 million in 2024. The coalition provided Ukraine with armored vehicles, demining machines, mine detectors, and obstacle-clearing systems.

Latvia specifically contributed €270,000 to HALO Trust, supporting the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance in liberated and front-line territories.

The coalition announced a long-term commitment of €700 million through 2034, with €130 million allocated for 2025 — a critical investment in civilian safety and rebuilding efforts.

Macro-financial support and international programs

Latvia also participates in key international financial initiatives aimed at stabilizing Ukraine’s economy and institutions. It contributed to:

• The Ukraine Capacity Development Fund (UCDF), managed by the IMF, raising $36 million
• The World Bank’s URTF, which gathered $2 billion from donor countries for recovery and reform

Through the EU’s ERA program, Latvia supports Ukraine’s access to loans financed by frozen Russian assets. By April 2025, Ukraine had received €5 billion in three tranches, and a total of €35 billion is planned through the EU’s broader Ukraine Facility.

Latvia has also taken part in the Medevac medical evacuation program, treating 545 wounded Ukrainian soldiers in Latvian hospitals since 2022.

Conclusion: Latvia’s leadership in Ukraine’s fight and future

Latvia has emerged as one of Ukraine’s most consistent and impactful supporters. It has provided some of the highest levels of military aid per capita, led innovative efforts like the Drone Coalition, helped rebuild war-torn communities, and pushed for legal accountability for Russian aggression.

This support is part of a broader framework of long-term commitments. Latvia’s 10-year security agreement with Ukraine is one of 29 such agreements signed as of February 2025 — 27 with G7-aligned nations, one with the EU, and one with Croatia. These agreements stem from the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, adopted at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023.

While they offer structure and stability, they remain a substitute for what Ukraine ultimately seeks: full NATO and EU membership, neither of which yet has a clear timeline.

Until then, Latvia — driven by its history, geography, and commitment to European security — continues to lead by example. Its sustained and strategic military aid to Ukraine places it among the most steadfast contributors.