Diplomatic — 2026-06-10

Zelensky Arrives in Estonia for Nordic-Baltic Summit as Ukraine Signs Defense Deals With Latvia and Estonia

BLUFKyiv is converting its drone-warfare expertise into a diplomatic currency that locks in Nordic-Baltic defense commitments before summer summits test European cohesion on Ukraine support.

Zelensky met Estonian President Alar Karis on June 9 before joining Nordic and Baltic prime ministers for the NB8 summit in Tallinn, where Estonia and Ukraine signed a defence declaration 12. Latvia and Ukraine signed a separate 10-year defence cooperation agreement committing approximately 110 million euros over the first two years, with Ukraine pledging drone and air defense expertise transfer, according to LSM.lv 3. Bilateral talks with Finnish PM Orpo and Swedish PM Kristersson covered air defense capabilities and the NATO PURL program, which finances U.S. weapons purchases for Ukraine 1. Zelensky and Karis agreed to develop cheaper drone intercept methods following Ukrainian drone incursions into Estonian and Latvian airspace, with Zelensky offering low-cost interceptor drones and expert teams drawing on Ukraine's experience in the Middle East 4.

Analysis
Zelensky's drone-cooperation proposal converts the bilateral airspace friction with Estonia and Latvia into a defense technology partnership, giving both governments a face-saving basis to deepen ties rather than press accountability. Baltic acceptance may reflect diplomatic courtesy over genuine confidence in the capability transfer. Latvia's 10-year agreement, primary-sourced from the signing ceremony, is the most concrete deliverable. The London-to-Tallinn diplomatic sequence is a deliberate consolidation campaign ahead of the EU, G7, and NATO summits this month and July. PURL program discussions signal Ukraine institutionalizing multilateral financing for U.S. weapons procurement before any American posture shift narrows access.

4 sources

Zelensky arrives in Estonia for Nordic-Baltic summit as Kyiv pushes allies ahead of key summer meetings - Kyiv Independent
Zelenskyy visits Estonia as Tallinn and Kyiv sign a defence declaration - Estonian World
Latvia and Ukraine sign defence cooperation agreement - LSM.lv
Ukraine's Zelenskyy arrives in Estonia to attend Nordic-Baltic summit - ABC News