On 28 August, during a working visit to Warsaw (Poland), President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs met with President of Poland Karol Nawrocki, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, President of Estonia Alar Karis and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen. Meeting focused on support to Ukraine, peace efforts and security of the Baltic Sea Region. Meeting was followed by joint press and video conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Meeting of the Baltic Sea Region leaders was initiated by Poland to agree on common Baltic Sea Region position for the forthcoming visit of the President of Poland Karol Nawrocki to Washington, the United States of America, and meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Leaders strongly condemned the latest Russian attack on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, which resulted in civilian casualties and damage to the Kyiv office of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine. “This attack is yet another indication that Russia and its leader are not ready for peace efforts. Russia continues to brutally attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and population, showing no interest in constructive dialogue on ceasefire and path to peace. Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians, while also making unreasonable demands and stalling during the negotiations,” President Rinkēvičs pointed out.
President of Latvia confirmed his support for Ukraine peace efforts of the US President Donald Trump and encouraged to increase pressure on Russia by implementing further sanctions and increasing support to Ukraine. “Latvia supports peace efforts of the US President Donald Trump and believes that negotiations with Russia should be based on peace through strength approach. Russia will respond constructively to negotiations and stop the bloodshed only when facing increased pressure, which requires even more effective sanctions against Russia, prevention of sanctions evasion and additional support to Ukraine,” President Rinkēvičs underlined.
He also stressed the significance of dialogue between USA, Europe and Ukraine on issues pertaining to the future of Ukraine and security in Europe. President of Latvia expressed hope that the Coalition of the Willing and close cooperation with the US will help provide strong long-term security guarantees to Ukraine.
Speaking on the security of the Baltic Sea Region, President Rinkēvičs urged to continue raising security and defence spending, also underlining the significance of the US military presence in the region. “We must work towards the commitments agreed at the NATO Summit in Hague and raise defence spending to 5% of the GDP. Russia respects strength, so we need to strengthen our defence capabilities and overall security. Continued US military presence in Europe and the Baltic Sea Region is as important,” President emphasised.
