Russia's war against Ukraine remains Europe's biggest security challenge – Wadephul

Support for Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia remains Germany's top priority despite the escalation in the Middle East.

According to Ukrinform, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said this ahead of his departure to Warsaw to attend an informal meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

"Even though the Persian Gulf region is currently drawing much of our attention, the greatest security challenge for Europe remains Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Today, the strongest and most determined supporters of Ukraine are gathering at the Council of the Baltic Sea States. I want to state clearly that Germany continues to see this as its priority," Wadephul said.

He stressed that "Ukraine and the Baltic Sea region remain the focus of our security policy in Europe."

"Poland plays a special role as a logistics hub and close political partner. The Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – have made a significant contribution to training, arms supplies and reconstruction projects. Denmark has been particularly active in supporting Ukraine in air defense, weapons production and coordinating European assistance initiatives," Wadephul said.

He stressed that the key priority for Germany remains ensuring Ukraine's "long-term ability to defend its independence and territorial integrity militarily, economically and institutionally."

According to him, the meeting in Warsaw will allow foreign ministers of the Baltic Sea countries to coordinate their efforts even more closely and provide new momentum for targeted support for Ukraine.

The Council of the Baltic Sea States includes eight Baltic Sea countries – Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Sweden – as well as Iceland, Norway and the European Union. On July 1, 2025, the Council's chairmanship passed to Poland from Estonia.

Russia's membership in the Council of the Baltic Sea States was suspended in March 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and in May 2022, Moscow withdrew from the organization.