Photo: AFP / Scanpix / LETA
Currently, the biggest concern is the deployment of Belarusian military units on the border with Latvia, as the lack of communication with Belarusian border guards can lead to various misunderstandings, in today’s online discussion organized by the Ministry of Defense “Migration as a hybrid weapon against Latvia: what next?” said Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks (AP).
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Read other news Pabriks emphasized that the current situation on the Latvian-Belarusian border is serious, as Belarus continues to direct various types of military units towards Latvia.
“We see the placement of tents, and we cannot rule out that there are Russian units there as well. The presence of heavier weapons, which have not been on the border so far, has also been observed, ”the Minister explained.
The lack of communication between the Latvian and Belarusian border guards is also a concern. Pabriks emphasized that in the past communication between the border guards of the two countries has been good, but now its lack can lead to various misunderstandings and other problems, especially when the border on the Belarusian side is guarded by compulsory soldiers who are ill-prepared.
“However, we are trying and will continue to cooperate and seek dialogue with the Belarusian border guard,” Pabriks added.
The Minister of Defense expressed the opinion that the Western allies should also listen to what Latvia said and put pressure on Belarus, both economically and politically, because the forms of pressure used so far have not been exhausted.
Pabriks believes that it is useful to start negotiations with Russia as well, because he does not believe that Belarus is organizing this flow of refugees without Russia’s help.
“I think that it would not be beneficial for Belarus and Russia to aggravate the situation, because Latvia will not compromise and the country’s external border will be guarded,” the Minister emphasized.
Toms Rostoks, a leading researcher at the Latvian National Defense Academy, also expressed hope that the situation would not escalate further.
“Of course, it is not good that people have been taken hostage between the two countries, but the threat of escalation is quite serious, and it is important that we monitor this situation from a national security perspective, because in fact we are in a situation that would not have been possible two years ago. “Rostock said, emphasizing that the events in Belarus at the beginning of this year were an unpleasant surprise for Latvia.
Belarus has caught something very important, namely that the European Union (EU) is very sensitive to migrant issues and there have been precedents for the EU to make concessions.
Rostock believes that Belarus is currently trying to put pressure on the EU to lift sanctions previously imposed on Belarus.
Māris Kūlis, a researcher at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Latvia, also believes that Latvia must stop mixing with concepts and understand that people on the eastern border of Latvia are purposefully organized migration flows and are not victims of persecution.
“In this case, ethical issues take on a completely different mood and indicate that this situation needs to be looked at with a completely different eye.”
It has already been reported that since August 10, a total of 645 people have been deterred from crossing the state border illegally.
There are no people detained for illegally crossing the state border during the past day. Since the introduction of the state of emergency, 25 people have not been prevented from crossing the state border for humanitarian reasons, while a total of 377 third-country nationals who have crossed the state border illegally have been detained this year.
As reported, the government, taking into account the number of cases of illegal crossing of the Latvian-Belarusian border and its rapid increase, previously decided to declare a state of emergency from August 11 to November 10 in Ludza, Kraslava, Augšdaugava counties, as well as in Daugavpils city.
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