Latvian PM on sanctions against aggressor: EU must stop fearing Russia

To adopt tighter sanctions against Russia, all European Union member states must stop fearing Russia, said Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš in an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds.
The latest EU package of sanctions is not as strict as Kariņš would have liked to see at the very start of the war. However, sanctions are already «unbelievably tighter» than any sanctions ever imposed on any country. EU member states are not ready to put sanctions on the entire energy sector, but it is good to start with coal at least, said the PM.
«There is no end of work. We keep discussing it with partners. It is important that all of us act together [in the context of sanctions],» said the head of the government.
The biggest obstacle in the way of bigger sanctions, Kariņš says, is the change of approach, but it is happening.
For example, an «enormous change» has already happened now that everyone agrees with Baltic States, who have long since warned the rest of the world that Russia is an enormous threat.
To adopt tighter sanctions, countries that still fear Russia have to overcome their fears, because «what else do we have left to fear» – countries need to do all they can to put a stop to the war machine.
«The attitude that was on 23 February and now is like day and night. Energy-wise Germany is doing all it can to turn its economy away from Russian gas,» said the PM.
The head of the government said the sanctions are intended to isolate Russia’s economy. «Sanctions will not stop the war. The war will be stopped by Ukrainian soldiers using western weapons. Sanctions will stop Russia’s ability to restore is forces, because it will be forced to think about other things,» said the PM.
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Until now about 8% of Latvia’s economy was tied to Russia, said Kariņš, agreeing that different sanctions against Russia will impact Latvia’s economy. However, the prime minister is convinced most companies that worked with Russia in the past will find new opportunities. This means there should be no concerns about Latvia’s economy stopping.
Latvia is a relatively small economy money-wise has supported Ukraine more than some other wealthier European countries, claims the politician, adding that there are still large reserves of aid remaining. The most important factor is supplying weapons systems so that Ukrainian army can oppose Russian forces. «We are giving and will keep giving all that we have, but it is important for countries that have more vehicles to supply Ukraine with military vehicles in serious amounts,» said Kariņš.