Ukraine is doing everything possible to deter Russia from further aggression - Braze

RIGA - Ukraine is doing everything possible to deter Russia from further aggression, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

In her view, there are currently no indications from Russia that it wants peace, but if there are no such indications, then further pressure should be applied against Russia and it should be "pressed for peace".

The Latvian Foreign Minister stressed that Russia's ability to continue the war must be weakened. She said that a draft of the next European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia was ready and should be activated. US sanctions against Russia should also be activated, Braze stressed.

She pointed out that the sanctions are working and this is evident, although Russia is trying to circumvent them, including through the so-called "shadow fleet". According to the Latvian Foreign Minister, this is also becoming more complicated as more and more vessels are subject to sanctions.

"Russia will be able to continue the war for some time. It is canibalizing the civilian economy, prioritizing war and the battlefield, but Russia is losing," said Braze.

The Latvian Foreign Minister stressed that there is currently no direct military threat to any NATO member state, but Russia is a threat to the security of the Alliance's allies. This is also clearly stated in NATO's Strategic Concept, Braze stressed.

"That is why we have made defense and security, and capability development a priority, to ensure that the principle of deterrence, which has been in place since NATO was founded, remains as viable as ever," said the Latvian Foreign Minister.