It is important not to slow down Western assistance to Ukraine - Rinkevics

RIGA - Russia has sufficient resources to continue a long war in Ukraine, therefore it is important not to slow down Western assistance to Ukraine, said Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) in an interview with the Latvian public television today.

Rinkevics said that it is important to provide not only military, but also financial assistance to help Ukraine survive through winter and renew the civil infrastructure destroyed by Russia. Meanwhile, Russia is hoping for the West to get tired, trying to influence the public opinion.

Rinkevics said that Western assistance to Ukraine is quite strong, but pace, for example, in delivery of weapons, is slower than changes in the war front.

Commenting on Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu's suspicious telephone calls to defense ministers of several Western countries, speaking about Ukraine using "dirty bomb", Rinkevics said that Russia might be preparing provocations or trying to distract attention from Russia's attacks on Ukraine's civil infrastructure.

Rinkevics said that unfortunately any scenarios can be expected from Russia.

Speaking about China's role in the war, Rinkevics said that China has been watching and acting with reservations and has not supported Russia. He said that the outcome of the war will play a significant role in international politics and how countries with geopolitical ambitions will act.