The Baltic states are “very unhappy” after the UK failed to ask their leaders to hitch a summit on Ukraine this weekend, a European diplomatic supply has mentioned.
The supply, with data of the scenario, warned that Moscow would discover with curiosity that Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have been excluded.
“Russia and our publics will clearly assess this that we are sold out by the US, but also by [the] UK and France,” mentioned the supply, who spoke on the situation of anonymity.
Sir Keir Starmer, recent again from a pleasant assembly with Donald Trump in Washington, is because of host the leaders of greater than a dozen European international locations for a summit within the UK on Sunday to debate Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and wider European safety.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who’s holding talks with the US president on the White Home on Friday, can be attributable to attend.
Picture:
Ukrainian troops fireplace a rocket launcher. Pic: Reuters
The diplomatic supply confirmed Sir Keir would have a cellphone name with the leaders of the Baltic states – however signalled this was a poor substitute for not collaborating within the summit, which is able to happen in particular person.
“We are truly very unhappy with a refusal to invite the Baltic leaders,” the supply mentioned.
The three Baltic international locations – situated on NATO’s japanese flank with Russia – are among the many highest defence spenders in NATO as a share of GDP.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
2:11
What occurred when Starmer met Trump?
They’re additionally, relative to their small dimension, among the many largest supporters of Ukraine – giving weapons and funding to assist the Ukrainian armed forces struggle off Russia’s invasion – and have been the strongest voices in Europe elevating the alarm in regards to the menace posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin for years.
The supply mentioned France was serving to to organise the summit with Downing Avenue. Will probably be used to debate help for Ukraine, together with a plan to create a world “reassurance” power that may very well be deployed to the nation to assist safe a ceasefire if the US can negotiate a deal between Kyiv and Moscow.
Wider European safety may also be mentioned after Mr Trump made clear European NATO allies have to take a a lot better accountability for their very own safety as a substitute of counting on the highly effective US navy.
The supply mentioned the leaders of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Poland have been among the many invitees, noting Helsinki and Warsaw have each publicly dominated out contributing troops to a world safety power in Ukraine.
The supply mentioned members of the Baltic states “have a plan… but [were] not invited”.
“All three Balts are among the highest supporters for Ukraine in terms of percentage of GDP and capabilities provided,” the supply mentioned.
“All decisions directly impact our security. Like another pact to divide Europe or take us for granted. Shameful.”
The UK regards Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as key companions. The three Baltic states are carefully allied with Britain as members of the Joint Expeditionary Pressure, a grouping of like-minded European NATO member states.
Downing Avenue was approached with a request for remark.
