The Baltic countries are very unhappy that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not invited them to attend this weekend’s meeting on Ukraine, a European diplomatic source has told Sky News.
The leaders of France, Germany, Denmark, Italy and Turkey, as well as representatives of the EU and NATO, have been invited to the meeting on Sunday.
According to Starmer’s office, the summit will continue the line of talks held earlier this month in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron and will focus on strengthening Ukraine’s position, including military support for Kyiv and increased economic pressure on Russia.
A source familiar with the situation said that Moscow would take notice that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were not invited.
“Russia and our publics will clearly assess this that we are sold out by the US, but also by UK and France,” the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, is quoted by Sky News.
The source said that the Baltic countries “have a plan [...] but not invited”.
“All decisions directly impact our security. Like another pact to divide Europe or take us for granted. Shameful,” they said.
Starmer’s office has not yet responded to a request for comment.
The British prime minister has previously confirmed that he is holding a meeting on Sunday to promote action on Ukraine and security, before holding talks with the Baltic leaders.
Later, he is due to receive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The office of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has confirmed that he is scheduled to have a talk with Starmer on Sunday.
Baltics the first to be briefed on Starmer’s Washington meeting
Responding to the report, the Lithuanian president’s adviser Frederikas Jansonas said that the Baltic states will be the first to receive information from the British prime minister after his meeting with the US administration, says the Presidency.
“It is very important that after the meetings in Washington, European leaders discuss all the details. This was the case after the French president’s visit, and it is the case after the British prime minister’s trip to the United States. Since no decisions are taken after such meetings, any way of discussing details is acceptable,” Jansonas told BNS on Friday.
“All the more so because the leaders of the Baltic states – those closest to the Russian border – will be the first to receive that information from Mr Starmer,” he added.
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