On 12 September 2024, the Foreign Services of the United States of America and the Baltic States held high-level consultations on the Indo-Pacific region in Vilnius. The US-Baltic dialogue on the Indo-Pacific is being strengthened due to the close connection between the transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security areas, which is particularly important given the current geopolitical situation. The consultations also addressed measures to prevent the circumvention of sanctions.
The US was represented by the Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell; Estonia by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonatan Vseviov; Latvia by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andžejs Viļumsons; and Lithuania by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis.
The Latvian State Secretary informed his US and Baltic counterparts about a Russian military drone flying into and crashing in Latvian territory. Discussions included the need for accelerated implementation of NATO’s advanced air defence system and support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
Lithuanian Minister and Deputy Secretary expressed unwavering support for Ukraine and discussed the roles of China (PRC), North Korea (DPRK), and Iran in enabling Russia’s aggression. They condemned Russia’s hostile attacks against Allies and DPRK’s arms export to Russia. They also discussed countering the PRC’s economic coercion and expressed concern about the PRC’s activities in the South China Sea.
Additionally, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia outlined the vital importance of NATO cooperation in ensuring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
