2025 was particularly turbulent year in international politics - MP Circene

RIGA - 2025 was a particularly turbulent year in international politics, MP Ingrida Circene said during Thursday's foreign policy debate in Saeima, speaking on behalf of the Latvian delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly.

In international politics, 2025 was a particularly turbulent year full of uncertainty, which also affected the dynamics of European security and cooperation, said Circene. Global changes are increasingly forcing countries to reassess their security policies and mobilize more resources for defense and competitiveness.

Not all partners in international organizations are guided by the rule of law and shared values, which is why the Baltic and Nordic countries play a special role in maintaining stability, said Circene. In her opinion, Latvia and Europe should be ready to invest increasingly more in strengthening security, also in the light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which continues to dominate the OSCE agenda.

Russia still remains a member in OSCE institutions as its withdrawal requires Russia's own initiative, which has not happened, Circene explained. At the same time, several countries have long refrained from issuing visas to Russian representatives, and solidarity with Ukraine has been demonstrated at OSCE events.

Votes on OSCE resolutions are becoming increasingly difficult to predict as the rise of populism in European politics affects deputies' positions, said Circene. For example, amendments submitted by Latvia on terminating employment of Russian citizens in the assembly's secretariat were turned down.

She also stressed the need to strengthen maritime security, pointing to threats to critical infrastructure and activities of Russia's shadow fleet in coastal countries.

Circene also noted international organizations' cooperation on addressing the issue of children abducted from Ukraine, stressing that actions of Russia and Belarus in this process were thoroughly documented.