Latvia and Estonia push for a clear path for Ukraine to join NATO, ahead of the Vilnius summit
Both Latvia and Estonia expressed strong support for Ukraine’s immediate accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, highlighting the urgency of progress as Western security considerations evolve. The stance was voiced by Latvian President Egils Levits after a meeting with Estonian President Alar Karis, who was visiting Riga to discuss security cooperation and regional strategies.
The two leaders underscored the need for tangible advances by the time the NATO summit is held in Vilnius at the start of July. They stressed that Ukraine should present a concrete roadmap outlining steps toward membership, rather than rely on open doors alone.
Levits articulated a vision in which Ukraine would provide a clear timeline for its path to NATO. He framed this as a shared interest of NATO, Ukraine, and the broader European security framework, arguing that a documented route to membership would strengthen regional stability and global defense postures.
According to Levits, it is no longer sufficient to simply declare that NATO remains open to new members. The alliance, he said, requires a well-defined plan detailing how Ukraine can meet the criteria for membership and integrate into alliance structures in a practical timeline.
The Latvian president noted that Latvia and Estonia rank among the most supportive allies when measured by their economic impact, linking defense and security commitments to national prosperity. He also indicated ongoing efforts to boost Latvia’s national defense budget to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2025, a move intended to reinforce deterrence and deterrence-ready capabilities in the region.
Within the broader alliance, discussions surrounding Ukraine’s membership have shifted away from tentative statements toward clearer expectations and phased milestones. In that context, defense officials in Berlin and allied capitals have suggested that the focus is on Ukraine meeting precise requirements for membership rather than revisiting debates about membership itself.
In related developments, the question of Ukraine’s path into NATO remains a central topic among alliance members. Officials have highlighted solidarity with Ukraine, emphasizing that membership remains a strategic objective for the alliance’s future, even as the timing continues to depend on Ukraine’s progress and alignment with alliance standards.
As situations unfold across Europe, the emphasis from Riga and Tallinn is on translating political will into verifiable steps. The overarching goal is to ensure Ukraine can integrate with NATO defenses and command structures in a manner that strengthens collective security while maintaining the alliance’s cohesion and strategic focus.