It is planned to increase the defense budget, taking into account the security situation in the region after the military invasion of Ukraine by the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the deployment of the Russian army in Belarus.
Kariņš, together with the Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks (AP), the Minister of the Interior Maria Golubeva (AP) and the Minister of Finance Jānis Reiras (JV), have made the necessary preparations for the decision to be considered and adopted by the government next week.
Kariņš emphasizes that Latvia has provided and will continue to provide support to Ukraine both in the form of military machinery and equipment and practical assistance, such as food, medicine and medical devices.
“At the same time, steps must be taken to strengthen ourselves and our security by increasing the budget of the defense and home affairs sector,” says Kariņš, noting that NATO is also being strengthened at the same time.
“This is the basic principle of the entire defense system of the alliance – to take care of oneself, then others will be able to help as well,” the Prime Minister emphasizes.
All the necessary preparations have been made so that the decision can be made next week.
It has already been reported that the Minister of Defense has indicated that the defense budget should be increased to 2.5% of GDP. 2.35% of GDP is currently spent on protection.
After a meeting of the National Security Council on Saturday, President Egils Levits also said that Latvia must strengthen its defense and security system by increasing spending on security.
“At the same time, we believe that internal security cannot be separated from external security. It forms a common security system. Internal security must be strengthened together with external security. Concrete decisions will be made on this issue as well,” the President said.
Additional resources to strengthen the internal security system apply to the police, border guards and other law enforcement agencies.
LETA has already written that Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on Thursday morning, also invading Belarus. Although the damage has taken place and the Russian troops are approaching Kiev, it has not won significant victories.
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