Poland, Baltic and Nordic states pledge increased support for Ukraine's defence

"Together with our Allies, we are committed to strengthening our deterrence, and defence, including resilience, against conventional as well as hybrid attacks, and to expanding sanctions against Russia as well as against those who enable Russia’s aggression, thus threatening our common security," the leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Poland and Sweden underscored in a statement.

The Government Offices of Sweden published the full statement at its website and the X platform.

The leaders reassured that they would strengthen their support to Ukraine. "Our countries are the largest per-capita contributors of military assistance to Ukraine and our support will not waver. Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia’s aggression, to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace."

"In the coming months, we will step up our support, including to the Ukrainian defence industry, and we will invest in making more ammunition available to Ukraine. Ukraine’s courage and resilience will be backed by strong and steadfast support by our countries whereby military assistance is an integral part. We encourage others to do the same," they added.

The leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Poland and Sweden also expressed their support for the Ukrainian Victory Plan. "We are committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and its full European and Euro-Atlantic integration."

"Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to our security in the long term. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and increasing use of hybrid actions have shattered peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and gravely undermine global security. We will work together to constrain, contest and counter Russia’s aggressive and highly confrontational actions as well as to ensure its full international accountability for the crime of aggression," they added.

The leaders met at the Swedish government's country retreat in Harpsund, southwest of Stockholm, for talks covering transatlantic relations, regional security cooperation and a common policy on the war in Ukraine.

The talks covered transatlantic relations, regional cooperation on security and a common policy towards the war in Ukraine.

"We have today reaffirmed our determination to shoulder our part of the responsibility for the Euro-Atlantic security," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a press conference following the talks.

"All of us have made historic investments in the strengthening of our armed forces and we all agree to prioritise defence spending. Adding money beyond NATO's 2% default will be needed. Now is the time to strengthen our collective efforts to ensure our safety and Ukraine's freedom," he added.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed that EU and NATO members "know today better than ever before that together we are much stronger." "And strength, this is what we need today."

"Also, this readiness to demonstrate that we are determined and ready to do everything we can as a group, as a format, but also as a EU, as NATO, to prevent ourselves from the highest risks, which is of course the Russian aggressive policy."

"Today I will warn everyone against the illusion that agreeing to Russian conditions of a ceasefire such as a neutral Ukraine, demilitarised, accepting the hitherto annexation of Ukrainian territory would stabilise the situation in the whole region and prevent us from the threat of World War Three.

"Quite the opposite. Our capitulation or lack of support for Ukraine, this is the obvious way to deepen the crisis and threaten risk for all of us," the Polish leader added.

Referring to U.S. President Elect Donald Trump, Tusk said: "It's obvious that Donald should trust another Donald, you know. We have no other choice, I think."

Tusk and is set to meet with Kristersson on Thursday.

Tusk said earlier on Wednesday that he would urge Baltic and Nordic countries to take joint action regarding security of Baltic Sea..

In the face of an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, NATO countries are taking joint action to protect themselves, including joint control of airspace over the Baltic countries within the framework of so-called "air policing."

The Polish prime minister said at the conference that he had proposed the establishment of a mission in the Baltic. "Today, I proposed creating a mission in the Baltic Sea. I am very pleased that my colleagues found it interesting, and we will continue to determine the details. I am also confident about our plans to invest more in the Baltic Sea."

He noted that the Baltic Sea region has become a focal point for geopolitical shifts. "The war has completely changed the reality of our region, the reality of all of Europe, Scandinavian and Baltic countries. These are our closest friends, partners, and allies, especially in the context of defense and security."

Tusk emphasized the importance of cooperation among Poland, Sweden, Finland, and Norway in defense and security, particularly concerning critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. "We share an assessment of the security situation, including concerns about critical infrastructure around the Baltic Sea. We need new and ambitious tools to counter threats," he explained.