No NATO country is talking about withdrawing troops from Baltics - Latvian chief of defense

RIGA - No NATO member state is talking about withdrawing troops from the Baltic states in compliance with Russia's ultimatum, the Latvian Chief of Defense, Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, said in an interview with Latvian Radio on Monday. 

Commenting on Russia's demand that the US withdraw its soldiers from the Baltic states, Kalnins said that he had had meetings with several countries' military commanders in the past week and that the defense minister has met with leading politicians from NATO countries.

"No country, no leader, no military commander has even mentioned complying with such an ultimatum," the Latvian chief of defense said. 

On the contrary, all of them reassured Latvia that cooperation and development of military capabilities will become even more intensive. "In accordance with Article 5 [of the Transatlantic Treaty] security will be unchangingly and firmly ensured at any moment," said Kalnins.