Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs. Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETA
Ukraine is not ready for peace «at any cost», said Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs in an interview to LTV.
According to the politician, Russia’s government believes causing the biggest number of deaths among civilians will crush Ukrainians’ will to fight. The minister, on the other hand, believes the will to fight and hate will only increase. This is why he believes it is necessary to continue aiding Ukrainians.
When asked if the west is prepared to lift sanctions if Ukraine and Russia reach an agreement on anything, Rinkēvičs said sanctions should not be lifted even then.
The minister proposed keeping in mind the year 2015, when sanctions weren’t lifted after Minks treaty was signed and conditions of the treaty weren’t met. Rinkēvičs said Russia gained time, which it tried using by accumulating a large force, which failed.
«It is in our best interest to do all we can to ensure Ukraine endures and sanctions remain. We will resist for as long as we can. We are categorically against exacting any pressure on Ukraine. If Ukraine sees it cannot afford a ceasefire for the sake of ceasefire, which could end up broken in a year or half a year once Russia regroups and becomes strong enough to crush Ukraine entirely, I don’t think it is in the interest of Ukraine or the west,» said the minister.
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As for supplies of military equipment and timely aid to Ukraine, Rinkēvičs said supplies commenced even before the war. Baltic States, US and Britain did it. However, there were multiple countries that decided to change their decade-long policy only once the war began.
«Currently supplies are carried in large amounts. We don’t discuss them in public for security reasons and to make sure supplies reach their destination. This is a fact. Could we have done more – yes, we could have. I think there is a whole queue of countries that could look at the situation differently and admit that supplies a month, two or three weeks before the start of the war would have been a good step,» said the minister.
He stressed that Baltic States and Poland have no reason to blame themselves, because a lot has been given to Ukraine.
Latvia now needs to restore its defence stores. However, Rinkēvičs said he is confused why Ukraine can be supplied with Stinger or Javelin missile systems, but not with tanks or aircraft.
He mentioned there are countries that have said they cannot supply western military vehicles because untrained people cannot use them properly. The minister said why the supply of MIG fighter jets was cancelled.
«The arguments are traditional – that this decision could further escalate the conflict outside of Ukraine. We believe this is not a valid reason. I don’t understand why Stinger launchers do not escalate it, but tanks and aircraft do. There is no logic. But we will continue working on it,» stressed the minister.
Latvian minister: Ukraine is not ready for peace «at any cost»
