In phone conversation, Trump asked Latvia's view on situation in region, including in context of Ukraine - Rinkevics

RIGA - In Tuesday's telephone conversation, the US President-elect Donald Trump asked about Latvia's vision of the situation in the region, including in the context of Ukraine, President Edgars Rinkevics told members of the press after a meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) on Wednesday.

He stressed that it was a good, excellent and cordial conversation, during which Rinkevics congratulated Trump on his election as US President. The two sides discussed bilateral relations, defense cooperation and economic cooperation, in particular in the energy sector.

They also discussed issues related to NATO, including defense spending and US leadership. Rinkevics stressed that US leadership is critical in this situation. The President said that the parties agreed that both in NATO and bilaterally the US and Latvia are close allies and Latvia was ready to continue the good relations it has enjoyed with the US.

Asked to comment on Trump's position on a number of issues, including Ukraine, the President said that he had already said everything he wanted to say about the phone call and did not intend to disclose the details of the conversation. Rinkevics stressed that the President-elect was interested in Latvia's views on the situation in the region, including in the context of Ukraine, but that it was more about what decisions the new US administration would take.

The President of Latvia also stressed that this was the beginning of cooperation and not an isolated element in the relations between the countries. He also mentioned that Latvian officials had experience with Trump during his first presidency, which would be used in cooperation with the new US administration. Rinkevics underlined that Latvia has good relations with both US parties. He pointed out that not only Trump, but also both chambers of the US Congress will get down to work next January.

Rinkevics added that the conversation lasted ten minutes. He explained that such a conversation usually starts with congratulations on the election of the President. According to the President, the conversation with Trump was coordinated soon after the elections, which took some effort. The original date was November 18, but the call had to be postponed until November 19 because Latvia celebrates its independence day on November 18. Trump took this opportunity to convey his greetings to the Latvian people on the occasion.

Asked whether any specific decisions had been taken during the conversation, the President of Latvia said that the US President was interested in the views of the region, Latvia and Rinkevics on the issues already mentioned. He also stressed that no decisions could be taken for the simple reason that Trump would take office as US President on January 20 and that Joe Biden is currently serving as US President, but that the questions formulated by Trump had been precise and detailed.