A weak Russia is the best security guarantee for the entire Euro-Atlantic space - foreign minister

  • 2025-01-28
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - A weak Russia is the best security guarantee for the entire Euro-Atlantic space, Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.

As the Foreign Ministry informed LETA, Braze expressed support to Poland for prioritizing security during its the EU Council Presidency. "Russia’s threats to the Euro-Atlantic space are serious and they will persist. We must continue to invest more in security and defense, and do it faster, since Russia presents a long-term threat to all of Europe and NATO. I fully agree with the new US administration: a weak Russia is the best security guarantee for the whole Euro-Atlantic space, world peace and stability, and a lasting and just peace," Braze underlined at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

At the EU Foreign Affairs Council, ministers agreed to extend EU sectoral sanctions against Russia (renewed every six months). "It has also been decided today to impose EU sanctions on three Russian military intelligence service officers for a cyberattack against Estonia. The attackers were identified last year with the help from Latvia and Allies - Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic," Braze noted.

She also emphasized that sanctions are working and Russia’s economy is already like a crumbling house of cards. "Russia is desperate. It can no longer deceive its people and businesses about how bad Russia’s economic situation really is. We must sustain maximum pressure on Russia through robust sanctions. It must also be achieved that EU companies leave the Russian market and no longer channel their funds into its economy."

Braze informed EU foreign ministers of the situation regarding the situation with damage caused to the data cable between Latvia and Sweden. She thanked the Latvian Radio and Television Center (LVRTC), the Latvian Naval Forces, as well as Sweden, Estonia and other partners for their rapid response and cooperation. Latvia is cooperating with the Baltic Sea region countries and NATO. The Minister also invited the EU External Action Service to engage as concerns cooperation with non-EU countries.

The Minister also briefed her counterparts about the exchanges held so far with the new US administration - both before the inauguration and via a phone call with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, January 24. The officials agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense and security, energy and modern technologies, on further support to Ukraine, as well as constraining Russia in the strongest possible way.

The members of the Foreign Affairs Council were addressed via videoconference by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. He stressed that although almost three years have passed since Russia launched a war against Ukraine, it is vital not to yield, this being a Euro-Atlantic conflict, the outcome of which will affect the future international order. Drawing parallels with the 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, Sybiha underlined that a just peace was achievable. He also called on the EU to work together with the US in all directions to support Ukraine, including to further sustain the strongest possible sanctions against Russia.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, reminded that the EU with its Member States is the second largest donor for Ukraine - the total aid provided to date amounts to at least EUR 134 billion and will keep increasing.

All the participants were unanimous about and unwavering and strong military and financial support to Ukraine. Braze emphasized that this year as well Latvia will provide assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 1 percent of GDP and 0.25 percent in military support. Latvia will also ensure further support to Ukrainians in Latvia and will work on new sanctions and their effective implementation.

The Member States also agreed on a strong 16th package of sanctions before the third anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Priorities in the next rounds of sanctions include further erosion of Russia’s military capabilities through continued pressure on Russia’s energy sector, trade in dual-use goods, the financial sector, propaganda machinery, as well as further sanctioning of "shadow fleet" vessels. Braze pointed out that Latvia will continue working with third countries to prevent them from helping Russia in the circumvention of sanctions.

As they discussed cooperation with the new US administration, the ministers highlighted the importance of close further cooperation with the US. "We are interested in strengthening relations with a focus on promoting common interests and transatlantic security," Braze noted.

The Council also addressed the situation in the Middle East, the ceasefire and a prisoner release agreement achieved, and the situation in Syria. Ministers welcomed the intended resumption of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Rafah (EUBAM Rafah). Ministers then exchanged views on the ways for the EU to support Syria’s reconstruction and reconciliation process.

At the meeting, the European Commission announced an emergency financial support of EUR 30 million to tackle the energy crisis in Moldova, which will help ensure Moldova’s energy independence in the long term.

In light of latest developments in Georgia, the ministers agreed on suspending parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement concerning holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports, and expressed solidarity and further support for the Georgian democratic forces.