Latvia to demand additional €7 billion for eastern flank in EU budget talks, PM Kulbergs says

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) told the Saeima's European Affairs Committee on Friday that Latvia will seek an additional seven billion euros for strengthening the European Union's eastern flank in upcoming negotiations on the bloc's next multiannual budget, covering the 2028-2034 period.

According to Kulbergs, Latvia will push during the negotiation process for the EU budget to allocate the extra seven billion euros specifically for reinforcing the eastern flank — support aimed at member states bordering Russia and Belarus that require additional funding due to the security situation.

Background

The EU's multiannual budget sets the bloc's spending priorities and volumes for several years ahead and determines how much member states can rely on joint funding for areas such as infrastructure, border security and defence. Negotiations on a new budget period typically span several years and involve all 27 EU member states, which must reach a final compromise.

Kulbergs raised Latvia's demands specifically at the Saeima committee session, where lawmakers follow EU-related matters and track the government's approach to the upcoming negotiations. A precise negotiation timeline and the date of a final budget decision have not yet been made public.