Latvian President: Give Ukraine everything right now! Otherwise Russia and Belarus will take us on
The countries of the North Atlantic Alliance need to increase defense funding and urgently strengthen their eastern flank.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs announced this at a joint press conference with the NATO Secretary General at the Adazi military base, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
"We see that the aggressor Russia and its satellite Belarus are not going to stop in Ukraine and will not stop... they will get more weapons and will test our willpower. Therefore, it is absolutely clear that all allies should allocate not 2% of GDP for defense, but much more. I think the minimum is 2,53%.
Secondly, we discussed practical steps to strengthen NATO's military presence here. Air defense systems. We must learn the lessons of the past. For example, with the Russian drone discovered on Latvian territory. We must do everything to make NATO's presence here and that of NATO allies even more tangible. To strengthen not only their military potential, but also their military industry," Rinkēvičs insisted.
He also called for providing Kyiv with “everything it needs” and lifting all restrictions.
"We see what is happening in Ukraine. I informed the Secretary General that Latvia will continue to support Ukraine in the amount of 0,25% of GDP from the annual budget. This is already included for 2025 and 2026. It is obvious that we need NATO support.
It is important that Ukraine be given everything it needs right now! And Ukraine has the right to use everything it has received on the battlefield without any restrictions,” the Latvian said.
Latvian President: Give Ukraine everything right now! Otherwise, Russia and Belarus will take us over.