If Russia decides to attack Ukraine, it will mean certain security risks also for Latvia - Garisons

RIGA - If Russia decides to attack Ukraine, there will also be certain security risks for Latvia, said Latvian Defense Ministry's state secretary Janis Garisons in an interview with the Latvian public radio today.

The ministry's representative said that Russia is gathering its armed forces near Ukrainian border and they have reached the higher combat readiness, thus, the risks that Moscow might make a decision to attack Ukraine are high.

According to Garisons, this is important for Latvia as in case of a potential warfare, Latvia might face cyber attacks, information attacks, and it should be remembered that the situation on Latvia's border with Belarus has not been solved, and Lukashenko's regime continues to press illegal migrants in the direction of Latvia.

As reported, Russia has massed some 100,000 troops along Ukraine's border, causing concerts about a new military campaign against this country. Many western countries have already urged their nationals to leave Ukraine.

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) called on Latvian nationals in an interview with commercial TV3 television today not to visit Ukraine without a substantial reason and advised those nationals currently in Ukraine to leave this country.

He said that this decision was not easy for the Foreign Ministry, but necessary because the situation in Ukraine is unclear. The minister said that it is possible that the worst scenario does not come true and there will be no military conflict, still, airlines might stop their flights to Ukraine, which might make it difficult for people to leave the country.