Pabriks calls on US congressmen to increase military assistance to Latvia

• Published date: 23 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

RIGA, May 23 (LETA) - Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (Development/For) today met with representatives of the US Congress Don Bacon, Ruben Gallego and Sara Jacobs and urged them to increase US military assistance to Latvia.

The officials met to discuss the current geopolitical situation in light of Russia's war in Ukraine, Latvian-US bilateral defense cooperation and the need to bolster NATO's eastern flank, LETA was told at the Defense Ministry.

During the conversation, the Latvian minister underlined the necessity to provide all possible support to Ukraine and indicated that Russia's war in Ukraine will determine the long-term future of Europe or even transatlantic future.

Pabriks called on not to underestimate Russia as it is learning from its mistakes. The Latvian minister also voiced concerns that not all Western countries are providing sufficient support to Ukraine.

Pabriks asserted Latvia's readiness to defend itself and also stressed the necessity to bolster the defense of NATO's eastern flank. The minister urged the US to back increasing NATO's enhanced Forward Presence battalions to brigade-size units and to expand the US's military assistance to Latvia by stepping up presence of its armed forces, including by deploying military capabilities and providing financing for boosting Latvia's defense capabilities.

ccording to the Defense Ministry's information, the US congressmen supported the Latvian minister's position and informed him that work is ongoing to provide additional support to the Baltic states.

There are currently around 1,000 US troops deployed in...