There is nothing to prevent more effective military aid to be sent to Ukraine - Vike-Freiberga

RIGA - In fact, there is nothing to prevent countries and organizations supporting Ukraine from sending it more effective military assistance, former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga told TV3 in an interview this morning.

In the interview, she criticized both the reluctance of NATO countries to provide more effective military assistance to Ukraine and Europe's inability to give up Russian natural gas.

Speaking about supplying Ukraine with weapons and air defense systems, Vike-Freiberga admits that NATO assistance to Ukraine has probably been useful, but it is ineffective to provide such support "drop by drop". "I am sorry, but these are imaginary red lines, nowhere is it defined and written that you cannot send really effective anti-aircraft instruments," the former president said.

She also added that effective military assistance to Ukraine could be provided, if not by NATO as an alliance, then at least by individual NATO members or non-NATO members. "Why could they not send something really effective to help protect these poor Ukrainians from these airstrikes? It really shocks me," Vike-Freiberga told TV3.

The former president also blames Europe for its inability to refuse supplies of Russian natural gas. According to her, "Europe is feeding the Russian war in Ukraine with what it pays for gas supplies, and it continues every day".

Vike-Freiberga also praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his "tremendous energy, courage" and "amazing speeches". "Thank you for what he is doing for his people. I have rarely experienced or seen such a leader in my life."

In the interview, the former president told TV3 that she is very skeptical about the possibility of a national awakening in Russia - it is completely hopeless, because dictator Vladimir Putin has built his power very carefully, ensuring that even the slightest attempt to question the Kremlin's messages is immediately suppressed.