Latvia's former president: Putin has gone too far

03.07.2014 12:11

Ukrinform

The behavior of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the international scene is beyond the conventional framework, former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga (1999-2007) said in an interview with the 900 seconds TV program on the LNT television channel, the Latvian media reported .

KYIV, July 3 /Ukrinform/. The behavior of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the international scene is beyond the conventional framework, former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga (1999-2007) said in an interview with the 900 seconds TV program on the LNT television channel, the Latvian media reported .

"Putin's vision of international relations is radically different from the conventional concept," she said.

According to the ex-president, "the story with Putin" becomes clearer, and even Western leaders who want closer cooperation with Russia have to admit that there are problems.

Vike-Freiberga stressed the importance of Latvia's NATO membership. According to her, if the country did not join the alliance, it could not defend itself individually. Also, Latvia would not have to rely on assistance from other countries, she added. Latvia's integration into NATO improved the country's armed forces and solved a number of important issues. "Thank God it happened. I can at least half sleep peacefully," the Latvian ex-president emphasized.

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