With security and resilience high on the agenda, the CBSS Foreign Ministers and high-level representatives met in Sopot, Poland, on 28–29 May 2026 for the 23rd Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

In the Sopot Declaration issued after the meeting, the ministers reaffirmed their strong and unwavering support for Ukraine, once again condemning Russia’s illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine and identifying Russia as the most significant direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security. 

Against this backdrop, they stressed the need to strengthen regional responses to hybrid threats, including cyberattacks, sabotage, election interference, instrumentalisation of migration, airspace incursions and disruptions to navigation systems in the Baltic Sea Region.

The ministers also expressed concern over Russia’s shadow fleet, describing it as a major environmental, economic and security risk, and called for closer coordination with flag states, further work on legal responses, and stronger regional cooperation to protect critical undersea infrastructure.

The declaration further reaffirmed the role of the CBSS as a platform for political dialogue and cooperation on regional security issues. The ministers agreed that the organisation should continue focusing on security, including resilience, civil preparedness, hybrid threats, and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

The ministers also acknowledged the contribution of young people to regional decision-making and took note of the Youth Ministerial held in Warsaw in April 2026, where youth delegates developed recommendations on security, digitalisation, climate and connectivity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland organised the Ministerial Session as part of Poland’s rotating CBSS Presidency. During its Presidency, Poland has prioritised strengthening the political pillar of the organisation through a stronger focus on regional security, including the protection of critical infrastructure and countering the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea Region.

On 1 July 2026, Poland will hand over the CBSS Presidency to Iceland.