BSPC Adopts Statement “Nothing About Ukraine Without Ukraine” and Sets Course for 2026 Presidency

Representatives of all national and regional parliaments of the Baltic Sea region, the European Parliament, the Baltic Assembly, and the Nordic Council attended — a clear expression of unity and the continued relevance of interparliamentary cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.

Kristina Herbst opened the meeting by thanking the Åland Islands for hosting the 34th BSPC in Mariehamn, noting that the conference had provided important momentum for the political work now being taken forward. She stressed the central role of parliamentary dialogue in safeguarding democratic resilience, regional stability and cross-border trust:

“Cooperation among our parliaments is not a formality — it is a necessity. The Baltic Sea region faces shared challenges, and only together can we find the solutions our citizens expect.”

Delegates in Kiel discussed the follow-up to the 34th BSPC, the Presidency’s strategic priorities for 2025–2026, and the ongoing work in the BSPC Working Group and Rapporteurships. They exchanged views on key regional issues, including the future of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) based on the recent Wise Persons Report. The discussions reflected the breadth of the regional agenda and the BSPC’s role as a platform for long-term parliamentary coordination.

In light of current developments, the Standing Committee agreed today to issue a joint statement under the title ‘Nothing About Ukraine Without Ukraine.  The Statement reaffirms the BSPC’s unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and underlines that any international initiative must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. It stresses that no proposal or negotiation format may be pursued without Ukraine’s consent or at the expense of its security and freedom.

Kristina Herbst emphasised: “Our message from Kiel is clear: Ukraine decides its future. As our Statement states, Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity are inviolable. Any path to peace must be anchored in international law — and must strengthen Ukraine rather than reward aggression.”

Delegates stressed that Ukraine’s defence remains directly linked to the security and democratic resilience of the entire Baltic Sea region and expressed deep respect for the determination of the Ukrainian people in defending shared democratic values.

The Presidency also presented the upcoming 35th BSPC, to be held in Lübeck from 30 August to 1 September 2026 — the first time since 1998 that Schleswig-Holstein will host the annual Conference. Delegates welcomed the choice of venue and the Presidency’s intention to make Lübeck a central forum for political dialogue in the region.

In her concluding remarks, Kristina Herbst thanked all delegations for their constructive engagement and emphasised the value of the intensive political exchange during the Kiel meeting. The Standing Committee will reconvene in early March 2026 in Brussels to continue its work under the Schleswig-Holstein Presidency.