Ukrainian Deputy Defence Ministers Valerii Churkin and Lieutenant General Mykola Shevtsov met in Kyiv with a Latvian military delegation led by Major General Andis Dilāns, Deputy State Secretary for Logistics and National Armaments Director at the Latvian Ministry of Defence, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence.
Valerii Churkin expressed deep gratitude to the people and government of Latvia for their invaluable support, particularly in the military sphere, in Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression.
Discussions focused on key areas of current and future cooperation in the defence sector. “We are very interested in establishing joint ventures for the production of weapons and military equipment, particularly on Ukrainian soil,” Churkin noted.
He also highlighted Latvia’s leading role in the international drone coalition supporting Ukraine.
Lieutenant General Shevtsov emphasized the critical role of FPV drones on the battlefield and the continuing need for them in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also noted the persistent demand for ammunition, including various calibres of artillery shells.
On behalf of Latvia, Major General Dilāns reaffirmed interest in joint drone production and praised Ukraine’s valuable experience in combat drone deployment.
He also underscored Latvia’s readiness to continue testing new drone models at Ukrainian training grounds.
The delegations also discussed plans to deliver a new model of armoured personnel carrier to Ukraine and to begin training Ukrainian troops on its operation as early as June.
Particular attention was given to strengthening cooperation between private defence industry enterprises in both countries.