Foreign ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8) met on April 29–30 in Kuressaare, Estonia, and adopted a joint statement addressing, among other issues, the situation in Belarus.
In the document, Belarus is described as complicit in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The ministers accused Minsk of continuing domestic repression and hybrid operations against neighbouring countries and stated that a review of relations with Belarus is ruled out until the situation changes. The NB8 countries reaffirmed their support for Belarusian democratic forces and their intention to increase economic pressure on Belarus through trade measures and tariff policy.
“Belarus remains an accomplice in Russia’s war of aggression and continues internal repressions and hybrid activities against its neighbours. Until this ends, we will not revise our relations. We continue supporting Belarusian democratic forces.
We underline the importance of economic security as part of our open strategic autonomy. We aim to reduce strategic dependencies, including in energy, critical minerals and technologies, strengthen supply chain resilience, protect critical technologies and infrastructure from hostile influence. We will continue increasing pressure on the Russian and Belarusian economies through trade measures and tariff policy. Systemic violations of international law weaken the trust necessary for economic and institutional cooperation.”, the statement said.
The ministers reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s path towards membership in the EU and NATO, describing its integration into the European family as essential for the security of the entire continent. They called on partners to ensure long-term support for Ukraine and to provide legally binding security guarantees.
Russia was described as the most significant “direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security “. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and strengthening sanctions, including against Russia’s shadow fleet, and called for the continued isolation of Russia in international sporting and cultural events. They also expressed support for the swift establishment of a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
The issue of hybrid attacks and foreign interference in the information space was also addressed. The ministers said they intend to strengthen the resilience of their societies, raise awareness of such threats and increase the costs for those responsible.
