EU and NATO must send clear signal to Russia that escalation will have ‘very clear consequences’ / Article

The Prime Minister pointed out at a press conference that today we are experiencing several threats in Europe at the same time, one of which is a hybrid attack on Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and also the EU.

He said that these countries are experiencing the organized and illegal movement of migrants across the EU borders, emphasizing that Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are equally protecting and protecting the European Union’s external borders.

“We have a very clear and unified policy, and it is gaining the support of our partners – the EU and NATO,” Kariņš emphasized.

The Prime Minister mentioned the concentration of Russian military forces on the Ukrainian border as another challenge in our region. He said it was not planned as in the spring or summer in terms of training. According to him, it is important that the EU and NATO follow this situation and send a clear signal to Russia that escalating this situation will have consequences.

At the same time, Kariņš said that in Europe – and not only – there is an increase in electricity prices, adding that in Europe there is basically a rise in gas prices, which is created artificially. The Russian company Gazprom owns gas storage facilities in Germany and Austria, and although Gazprom is fulfilling agreements with its commercial partners in Europe, it has not supplied itself with enough gas in the storage facilities, thus creating a deficit and driving up prices, Kariņš revealed.

Finally, there is the disinformation campaign coming from Russia in a very organized and aggressive way. “At the moment, we see that it is directed against Poland, where Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and not Belarus, are being blamed in a hybrid situation on the border with Belarus. Russia brings its troops to the border, “the prime minister said.

According to him, during this time it is very important that the EU and NATO countries stick together. If Russia or Belarus have thought that such threats could split either the EU or NATO, then we see the opposite.

“We are coming together and just as today, on such a symbolic and very important visit, we are exchanging information and confirming that we will continue to work together,” stressed Kariņš, adding that it is important that the EU and NATO come together, because it is also the guarantor and strength of our national security.

Kariņš thanked the partners for the visit, emphasizing that such visits are very important in these times.

Urzula von der Leiena emphasized at a press conference that Latvia had responded to the situation both humanely and firmly. The President of the European Commission also revealed that specific European Union assistance to strengthen the Latvian-Belarusian border had also been discussed.

On Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will meet with the President of Latvia Egils Levits at Riga Castle. The meeting is scheduled to take place two days before the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Riga, which will discuss co-operation with Partners and the EU, as well as discussions on the Alliance’s new Strategic Concept, in addition to addressing current security challenges.

CONTEXT:

In the summer of 2021 the number of migrants increased significantly, which is trying to enter the territory of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland illegally from Belarus. Most migrants are arrived from Iraq.

Officials from the Baltic states and Poland pointed out that the Belarusian authorities deliberately do not obstruct the crossing of the borderto punish these countries for supporting the Belarusian opposition and sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko’s regime.

The European Union will do so described as the deployment of hybrid warfare and promises to help strengthen the EU’s external border.

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