Russia enhancing military activity near Baltic borders

Russia is enhancing its military activities on Baltic borders and is acting like an aggressor, Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Vejonis has warned.

More Russian naval ships have been observed near Baltic waters in recent months whilst unscheduled military maneuvers are being held in the Pskov region involving Russian aircraft and thousands of troops.

''By playing out similar scenarios which Russia has already used in the Crimea, Russia is presenting itself as an aggressor,'' Vejonis told reporters on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Russia most likely targeted the agriculture sector with sanctions in a deliberate effort to divide the EU, Vejonis added.

''This is Russia's attempt to divide the EU, so that joint decisions are not made,'' Vejonis said.

The minister also repeated proposals to have permanent NATO presence in the region amid the Ukraine crisis. He added that he is confident an agreement would be reached at the upcoming NATO summit in Wales in September.