Russia is a threat not just to Europe - European Council President Costa in Riga

RIGA - Russia is a threat not just to Europe and the US, European Council President Antonio Costa told reporters following a meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) on Tuesday.

At the news conference, the Latvian prime minister thanked Costa for visiting Latvia and other countries ahead of the upcoming European Council season, noting that under his leadership the countries have managed to strategically prepare to address issues requiring solutions.

Silina welcomed the inclusion in the European Council's agenda issues related to the external border of the European Union's (EU), and therefore also of Latvia. The upcoming debate on the EU's multiannual financial framework, will also include a discussion on support for regions, which is also important to Latvia, Silina noted.

The prime minister stressed that security is inextricably linked to competitiveness. Businesses are developing in Latvia, including with European support, which helps strengthen the security of Latvia and European countries, Silina added.

"Investing in defense and security requires adequate funding. Thanks to the joint decisions taken to strengthen the European military industry, companies are developing in Latvia, creating new technologies and strengthening their international competitiveness," said Silina.

The resilience of border regions was also high on the meeting's agenda. "Latvia is spending more than 4 percent of its GDP on security this year, and the objective for next year is to move towards 5 percent," the prime minister said, noting that more than EUR 900 million have been allocated since 2022 for strengthening the Eastern border.

For his part, Costa stressed that the borders of the Baltic states and Poland are the borders of the whole of Europe, therefore the security of these countries is also the security of the whole of Europe and work must continue to guarantee this common security.

Commenting on the report that the US is going to cut aid to countries bordering Russia, Costa said that Europe has done a lot to build its own defense in the last three years, since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is not a question of building defenses against Russia, but of levelling defense spending.

According to the European Council president, everyone understands that Russia is a threat not only to Europe - its territory is also in Asia. "Those who are worried about security in the Pacific should also be worried about Russia. The US should never forget that," said Costa.

Silina added that Latvia has not received any official notification that the US is going to cut military aid. She stressed that the issue was being discussed at the level of diplomats and foreign ministers. At the same time, Silina pointed out that US aid is "just seed money" and that Europe itself invests a lot in strengthening its defense.

She said that this shows that Europe has a strong backbone and is able to take decisions that three years ago no one would have believed to be possible.

As reported, the US intends to cut security assistance to European countries along the Russian border, two informed sources said last Thursday.

The assistance is being cut in line with US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. His administration has reduced foreign assistance and is urging European countries to finance a larger share of their military costs.

The Financial Times was the first to report on the planned cuts in US security assistance.

Russia's war against Ukraine has heightened concerns in Europe about regional stability and the likelihood of further aggression by Moscow. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are among the main beneficiaries of this US funding.

Spending for the defense cooperation program must be agreed by the US Congress, but the Trump administration has not requested more money. Funds already approved will be available until the end of September 2026.