Latvia calls on EU, NATO to send clear signal to Russia about their readiness to defend Ukraine

01.12.2021 10:55

Ukrinform

The European Union and NATO should send a clear signal to the Kremlin that the growing threat from Russia to Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity will lead to a military response from Western countries.

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said this at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riga on Tuesday, November 30, Ukrinform reports.

"The Secretary of State and I also talked about the current situation in Ukraine and around Ukraine, and we came to a consensus that the Russian military buildup and movement of military are highly concerning," Rinkevics said.

In this regard, he stressed that "NATO and the European Union should send a clear signal [to Russia] and should clearly indicate to which point the threats to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine will become our political and military concern, and we will respond appropriately."

Blinken this week started a trip to Europe, during which he visits Latvia and Sweden. In Riga, the Secretary of State took part in a NATO ministerial meeting and met with the Latvian leadership.