The leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Poland and Sweden met at the Swedish government’s country retreat in Harpsund. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Nordic and Baltic states as well as Poland have said they would in the coming months step up support for Ukraine, including to the country's defence industry, and invest in making more ammunition available.

"In the coming months, we will step up our support, including to the Ukrainian defense industry, and we will invest in making more ammunition available to Ukraine," the joint statement read.

What was the purpose of the big leaders meeting in Sweden today? What is the nature of the political transition ongoing in the European Union? Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations,