Polish and Baltic foreign ministers agree on the need to develop a strategic approach to support Ukraine in its opposition to Russian aggression, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (JV) told reporters today.
Today, the Latvian Foreign Minister met with the Estonian Foreign Minister Eva Maria Limets, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielis Landsbergs and the Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau. Rinkēvičs noted that during the meeting, the foreign ministers discussed two main issues – support for Ukraine and the forthcoming NATO summit in Madrid.
The Latvian Foreign Minister pointed out that the Baltic States and Poland provide Ukraine with both military and humanitarian as well as practical support. Ministers discussed ways to further support Ukraine. Rinkevich stressed that Ukraine, which is successfully fighting Russian aggression, needs to supply much more weapons, armaments and equipment.
The foreign ministers also discussed key transatlantic security issues in preparation for the NATO summit in Madrid at the end of June this year. The talks emphasized the need to strengthen and expand the NATO force’s permanent presence on the Alliance’s eastern flank.
“We want to achieve a permanent presence of NATO forces in the Baltic States and Poland, so that we can resist any threats from Russia and Belarus and protect every inch of our territory,” said the Latvian Foreign Minister.
Speaking about the NATO summit, Rinkēvičs pointed out that it is still two months away. It is in the interests of the Baltic States and Poland for the Alliance to make serious decisions on how to increase the protection of the Baltic States and Poland. According to him, the ministers have agreed to hold regional consultations between the Baltic States and Poland, as well as with NATO allies and friends.
“We want to increase the number of troops in the Baltic States and Poland to the size of a brigade so that they can counter potential threats from Russia and Belarus. We are also talking about air and coast protection. We expect a clear commitment from NATO Allies to defend every territory in the Alliance. inches in the Baltic States and Poland, “said the Minister.
Rinkēvičs noted that the ministers would work closely together before the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Meetings of defense ministers and experts are also planned. In his opinion, this is a critical moment when NATO has to make the right decisions, this is also a critical moment for the Baltic States and Poland, so it is necessary to take certain steps to ensure security.
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