Baltic states seek EU funds for counter-drone capabilities

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have jointly asked the European Commission for additional EU funding to strengthen their ability to counter drones, as the increasing use of long-range unmanned aircraft in Russia’s war against Ukraine raises concerns about the security of NATO’s eastern flank.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas told Reuters on Wednesday that the three Baltic countries were seeking additional financial support for counter-drone capabilities. He did not disclose the amount requested.

Finnish daily Iltalehti reported that the three countries had asked for €500 million.

The request follows an increase in Ukraine’s long-range drone attacks on Russia, with some drones entering airspace in the Baltic region. The incidents have heightened concerns that the war could increasingly spill over into the territory of NATO member states.

“We are looking into procuring the capabilities jointly, with preference for the European defence industry,” Kaunas said, adding that this would strengthen both the region’s resilience and defence-industrial cooperation in Europe.

The Baltic countries’ request also comes as European governments are increasingly looking to develop counter-drone capabilities and strengthen cooperation within the European defence industry.

Finland and Ukraine deepen drone cooperation

At the same time, Ukraine is expanding defence-industrial cooperation with European partners.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb signed an agreement in New York on Wednesday aimed at deepening defence and security cooperation between their countries.

Known as the “Drone Deal”, the agreement provides a framework for cooperation on defence materials and includes technology and information exchanges, research and development, innovation and joint industrial projects.

The Finnish government said the agreement could support cooperation on unmanned aerial vehicle technologies while also strengthening the defence capabilities and technological development of both countries.

The agreement is also intended to simplify administrative procedures, particularly those related to export permits, to make transfers of defence materials and technologies between Finland and Ukraine more efficient.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Ukraine’s experience had created expertise from which Finland could learn. “Ukraine has developed its own defence potential and defence industry in such a way that we in Finland have something to learn from it,” Orpo said.

He added that the agreement was not only a way to support Ukraine’s defence but also a step towards developing Finland’s own defence industry and armed forces in response to increasingly technology-driven warfare.

Stubb likewise stressed that cooperation with Ukraine could help Finland strengthen its own capabilities by learning from Kyiv’s experience.

The agreement builds on industrial contacts established in recent months. In August, Finnish defence companies signed cooperation agreements with Ukrainian counterparts in Kyiv. Finnish company Innokas also signed a letter of intent with Ukrainian drone manufacturer Airlogix to establish drone production facilities in Finland.

Finland has also announced its 34th military assistance package for Ukraine, worth €290 million.

Australia joins Ukraine’s maritime coalition

Australia, meanwhile, is expanding its own defence and security cooperation with Ukraine.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Zelenskyy signed a bilateral security agreement on Wednesday, providing a framework for cooperation in defence and security.

Under the agreement, Canberra will provide an additional $60 million in support for Ukraine. The package includes $45 million for military equipment from the Australian Defence Force, $10 million for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and $5 million in humanitarian assistance.

The Australian government said this brings its total assistance to Ukraine to almost $1.9 billion.

Australia will also join the Maritime Capabilities Coalition for Ukraine, led by the United Kingdom and Norway. The coalition is intended to support the development of Ukraine’s naval capabilities while providing Australia with an opportunity to develop expertise in modern maritime technologies.

Albanese said Ukraine’s experience of fighting Russia, combined with the development of its defence sector, could provide valuable knowledge for Australia.

Canberra adds sanctions as Kyiv offers defence expertise

Australia also announced new sanctions against Russia on Wednesday. Canberra said it had now imposed almost 1,900 sanctions on Russia and its supporters and restricted the activities of around 300 vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

Albanese said Australia’s position had remained unchanged since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which he described as a violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Zelenskyy welcomed the Australian support and said Ukraine was ready to share its military experience and technologies with Canberra.

He said the two countries were preparing their own “Drone Deal”, potentially covering sea drones, land platforms and artificial intelligence systems.

Sources: BGNES, European Pravda, Suspilne

Caption: Lithuania’s Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas speaks to the media upon arrival for Foreign Affairs Council in its defence configuration, in Brussels, Belgium, 12 May 2026. The Council will discuss EU defense readiness, coordinate continued military assistance for Ukraine, and evaluate recent security developments in the Middle East. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET